United to miss out on Dutch star, but his move to Portugal could increase Van Gaal’s chances of landing a different defensive target.
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FC Porto are poised to complete the signing of Feyenoord defender Bruno Martins Indi, according to De Telegraaf.
The 22-year-old is expected to signed for the Portuguese giants for a fee in the region £6.8m – a cash injection that should help to ease some of the financial pressure at Feyenoord.
Martins Indi is a powerful and versatile defender. He made 28 starts in the Eredivisie last season, playing 15 games at centre-half and the other 13 as a left-back.
His impressive displays earned him a call-up to the World Cup by Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal, who will leave his role with the national team to focus on managing Manchester United later this summer.
Van Gaal was apparently keen to bring Martins Indi to Old Trafford, but the 62-year-old has many other targets.
One of those targets is Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, whose chances of moving will be significantly increased when Martins Indi does complete his switch to the Estadio do Dragao.
Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with interest in 23-year-old Mangala, who is currently in Brazil as a member of France’s World Cup party.
Mangala played 21 domestic league games last season, as well as six in the Champions League and six in the Europa League. He scored three Europa League goals.