Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage has announced that a record-breaking transfer fee has been agreed for club captain Laurent Mendy, as the French midfielder prepares to move on from the Nailsworth-based team. The acquisition by Hearts is believed to involve an initial £500,000 fee, with additional performance-based add-ons potentially pushing the total close to seven figures—a remarkable sum for Forest Green.
Following Forest Green’s 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers, Savage revealed, “A deal has been agreed, though it’s not finalised yet as Mendy hasn’t travelled to Edinburgh for his medical. The fee agreed will be a club record. If all targets are met, it’s close to seven figures, which is incredible for this club. It’s a huge opportunity for Laurent—a chance to change his life.”
Mendy, who joined Forest Green alongside Savage from Macclesfield, has been a longstanding target for Hearts, who previously attempted to sign him in January. At that time, Forest Green rejected an offer deemed too low and committed to retaining their key player. However, the club has now sanctioned the transfer as Mendy’s move advances.
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Hearts, currently competing in the Champions League qualifiers, lost 4-0 in their recent match against Sturm Graz. Their head coach Wouter Vrancken described Mendy as primarily a defensive midfielder profile and acknowledged ongoing discussions: “It’s up to the club and him to find an agreement.”
Only a week earlier, Savage was unequivocal about keeping Mendy and other top players, emphasizing the club’s ambition to gain promotion. “No bid has come in that meets our valuation. We want to keep our best players. We need them to fight for promotion,” he stated. The club owner, Dale Vince, has heavily invested in the team’s future, and the focus remains on maintaining a strong squad.
Savage also highlighted the quality depth at Forest Green—players like Kyle McAllister, James Berry, and D’Mani Mellor reinforce their mission to stay competitive. “Why would we want to sell our best assets now?” he questioned.
Looking ahead, Forest Green is close to securing two new signings. Savage hinted, “We are finalising paperwork for a player from Liverpool and have agreed terms with a forward. We are also likely to add a centre half and a left back to build a robust squad of 23 to 25 players.”