Lyon replaces Tottenham recruit Ndombele with Lille's Mendes

Thiago Mendes has joined Lyon from Lille, replacing Tanguy Ndombele after the midfielder became Tottenham's record signing.

(From L to R) Olympique Lyonnais Brazilian sports director Juninho, Brazilian midfielder Thiago Mendes, Olympique Lyonnais' president Jean-Michel Aulas and head of Lyon's recruitment unit Florian Maurice pose for a photo with Thiago Mendes' new jersey of the Olympique Lyonnais during a press conference to present the new player on July 3, 2019, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu near Lyon, central-eastern France. - French club Lyon on July 3, 2019 completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Thiago Mendes. Mendes, 27, was signed from Lyon's Ligue 1 rivals Lille for a fee reported to be 25 million euros. (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images)

Lyon has announced the signing of Lille midfielder Thiago Mendes, who will help fill the void left by the departure of Tanguy Ndombele.

Mendes joins fellow Brazilian Jean Lucas at the club after Ndombele became Tottenham's record signing on Tuesday, joining the Premier League team for a fee that could rise to €70million (£62.8m).

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Lyon and Lille have not revealed the terms of Mendes' transfer, though he is reported to have cost around €25m.

Mendes made 35 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2018-19 season as Lille finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain in the table, a place ahead of Lyon.

He becomes Lyon's third signing ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, following on from the arrivals of Jean Lucas and Romania goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

However, Lyon has lost Ndombele to Spurs and also left-back Ferland Mendy to Real Madrid, while Nabil Fekir continues to be linked with an exit.

Lyon, under Bruno Genesio's successor as head coach Sylvinho, opens the new season away to Monaco next month before hosting Angers in their first home game.