City making progress on defender deal.
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Manchester City may be closing in on the signing of Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, with Goal.com reporting that the Frenchman has agreed to join the club.
The 23-year-old is one of the most highly regarded young players in Europe at the moment after his superb displays in the Portuguese top flight, and has been linked with a host of other top clubs in recent months.
Chelsea had looked favourites to win the race for Mangala, but it now looks as though City have persuaded him to choose a move to the Etihad Stadium for his next club.
Manuel Pellegrini had been desperate to sign a new centre-back after some inconsistent defensive displays in his side’s title-winning campaign of 2013/14, and Mangala has long been his top target, having also been linked with the Premier League giants back in the January transfer window.
It is claimed that Roma defender Mehdi Benatia is a backup option for City if the Mangala deal still falls through late on, and the Moroccan is another fine player who has attracted plenty of Premier League interest this summer.
Still, Mangala looks all set to complete a move to the champions for around £32m, in what will surely prove a major signing in City’s bid to retain their title.
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