• Monaco threaten to report clubs to Fifa, alleging unauthorised approaches • PSG and Real Madrid also accused in battle to sign highly regarded forward

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Manchester City are one of four clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, whom Monaco are threatening to report for allegedly making an unauthorised approach to Kylian Mbappé.

Monaco’s move reveals City are targeting the 18-year-old forward, considered one of Europe’s finest young players.

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The French champions issued a statement on Thursday that said: “Monaco regretfully notice that ‘important’ European football clubs made contacts with Kylian Mbappé (and his entourage) without its authorisation. Monaco want to remind these clubs that such actions are contrary to the article 211 of the administrative regulation of the French Football League (Ligue de Football Professionnel) and to the article 18.3 of the regulation of the status and the transfer of the players of Fifa.

“To put an end to this unacceptable situation, Monaco are considering asking the French Football League and Fifa to bring disciplinary proceedings against the offending clubs.”

The Guardian has established that City, PSG and Real are among those “offending clubs”. City were contacted for comment while Fifa confirmed it had not received a complaint.

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However, while City are not commenting it is understood they are confident they have not breached the rules of engagement with Monaco or any other club. City have respect for Monaco after developing a strong relationship after playing them in the Champions League in the spring. They also had a positive engagement during the Bernardo Silva transfer and hope this situation will continue to be the case.

As well as selling Silva, Monaco have also sold Tiemoué Bakayoko to Chelsea. Chelsea are not one of the four clubs accused by Monaco.

City have had a €50m (£44.5m) bid for the left-back Benjamin Mendy rejected, with Monaco demanding a fee closer to the £50m-plus deal paid to Tottenham Hotspur for the right-back Kyle Walker.