Hull City move closer to signing Senegal defender Nobel Mendy from Rayo Vallecano

Hull City have reached an agreement with Rayo Vallecano to sign 21-year-old defender Nobel Mendy in a deal worth €20m, plus additional bonuses, according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.

The proposed move would take Mendy to the Premier League after his emergence as an important player in Spain. Hull were impressed by his performances during the previous season and have now acted to secure the Senegal international’s services.

Although the transfer has been negotiated between Hull City and Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis are also set to benefit financially. The Spanish club will receive €4m through clauses included in the agreement that took Mendy away from Betis.

Rayo Vallecano only completed the permanent signing of Mendy at the beginning of June, paying €3.5m for the defender. The club have therefore negotiated a substantial profit on the player in a short period, despite his contract having been due to run until 2030.

Mendy’s progress has accelerated significantly over the past season. The defender, who was born in Guediawaye, made 28 appearances in all competitions and scored twice. He is currently valued at €7.5m, meaning the reported fee agreed with Hull represents a significant increase on that assessment.

The agreement is not yet described as a completed transfer, but it places Hull City in a strong position to bring Mendy to England. The fee is made up of an initial €20m payment and several performance-related or additional bonuses, although the precise details of those clauses have not been disclosed.

For Rayo Vallecano, the deal represents a major return on the investment made earlier in June. Mendy had only just become the club’s permanent property after his previous spell, but his displays last season convinced Hull to make a substantial offer.

Real Betis’ involvement comes from the terms agreed when Mendy previously left the club. While Betis are not taking part in the current negotiations, the clauses attached to that earlier transfer mean they are due a €4m payment if the move to Hull is completed.

Mendy’s performances have also helped establish him at international level with Senegal. His development at Rayo Vallecano has now attracted the attention of Hull City, who are seeking to complete the signing of a young defender whose market value has risen sharply over the past year.