Youngster is currently one of the most sought-after central defenders on the Continent.
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Premier League champions Manchester United aim to step up their long-running pursuit of in-demand FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala this month with a view to bringing the coveted Frenchman to Old Trafford before the January transfer window closes at the end of January, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
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New Red Devils head coach David Moyes is said to be a huge fan of the 22-year-old’s, with the Scot having been closely monitoring Magala since he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson in the United hot seat last summer.
However, Moyes had initially wanted to wait until the end of this campaign before making his move for the centre back, although the United boss has now been forced to accelerate those plans after it recently emerged that city rivals Manchester City were also considering signing Mangala in this month’s transfer window.
As a result, Moyes will now use the massive transfer war chest which he has been handed by the club’s American owners the Glazer family to help kick-start United’s season and ensure they finish in the top four of the Premier League by launching a £30m bid for the France international, an offer that is expected to be enough to be able to convince the Portuguese champions to part company with their star man.