Benjamin Mendy remains in discussions with Man City over backpay, court hears as judge grants 'final' chance to clear debt

Former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy remains in negotiations with his former club over backpay a court has heard.

It comes as the High Court heard Mr Mendy is 'embarrassed' about a six-figure tax debt and wants to pay it 'as quickly as possible.' HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is seeking a bankruptcy order against the footballer over a nearly £800,000 bill, a specialist judge was told on Wednesday.

However, Louis Doyle KC, for Mr Mendy, successfully asked for an adjournment for the sportsman to settle the sum. The court heard Mr Mendy remains in negotiations with City over his backdated salary, after the club stopped paying him when he was charged with rape in 2021.

Mr Doyle said discussions with the club were ongoing and “one senses that there is going to be a positive end to the dispute”. Mr Mendy’s accountant, David Lumley, previously described the back pay as “in the order of nine to 10 million pounds gross”.

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Addressing the debt, Mr Doyle said: “He is embarrassed about the fact that he is not able to discharge it quicker than he is able to. He is saying ‘I want to pay as quickly as I can, I realise that I am in difficulty’.” The barrister added: “This is perhaps, if not the last chance saloon, it is close to last orders at the last chance saloon.”

The court was told that £277,000 had been paid to HMRC, though the department’s lawyer Megan Vanderhook said it had not yet been received.

Mr Doyle later told the court Mr Mendy was prepared to pay £20,000 a month to HMRC from