Former Manchester City defender turned Standard Liege coach, Daniel van Buyten, is reportedly hoping to sign Eliaquim Mangala this week.
The Belgian outfit have already pulled off a transfer coup in January with the loan signing of former Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
However, it appears that they will continue to shop in Manchester with Mangala on their transfer list as they look to help the French international escape his nightmare at the Etihad, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Despite arriving at the club in a deal reportedly worth around £42m in 2014, Mangala has struggled to adapt to the Premier League which in turn has resulted in several shaky performances that have led to costly errors.
Particularly with captain Vincent Kompany absent through injury, coach Manuel Pellegrini has needed more stability in his defence and ultimately the former Porto star has not provided it.
In turn, that could pave the way for a move to Liege, although there is significant doubt over whether or not the Premier League title contenders would allow him to leave given Kompany’s injury woes.
Nicolas Otamendi represents Pellegrini’s only other stable option within the current group, and so the Chilean tactician will likely put off any exit for Mangala until the summer when he will be able to replace him and strengthen his squad further.
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