Blues have been tracking highly rated central defender for some time now.
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Long-running Chelsea target Eliaquim Mangala has hired renowned super agent Jorge Mendes to represent him, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
The in-demand FC Porto defender has been attracting the attentions of a whole host of big-name clubs from across the continent of late, with both the west London club, as well as mega-rich Premier League outfit Manchester City, having pondered making moves for Mangala during the recent summer transfer window.
However, this latest development could indicate that the 22-year-old is on his way to Stamford Bridge, either when the winter transfer window opens once again for business for the year in January, or more likely at the end of this season, with Blues head coach Jose Mourinho also being represented by Mendes, who in turn has brokered a number of deals involving both Chelsea and teams managed by the self-styled ‘Special One’ over the years.
Mangala is contracted to the Portuguese champions until June 30 2016, however, the centre-back also has a buyout clause in that deal that is reportedly valued at a whopping £40m, meaning that either way the Frenchman is not going to come cheap when he does finally decide to leave the Dragao.