Frenchman has also been scouted by both Chelsea and United of late.
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FC Porto are said to be willing to offload in-demand defender Eliaquim Mangala in the January transfer window now that the Portuguese champions are no longer involved in this season’s Uefa Champions League, according to reports in the Daily Mail.
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The coveted France international is currently one of the most sought-after centre backs on the Continent after turning in a string of eye-catching displays at the back for both club and country of late, with the likes of Premier League giants Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all understood to be interested in signing Mangala.
However, initially it was believed that there was no chance of luring the 22-year-old to England this month, with his employers thought to be desperate to keep hold of their star man until at least the end of this campaign, before then auctioning Mangala off to the highest bidder this summer.
That, though, was before Porto’s shock early elimination at the group phase of Europe’s premier club competition last month, meaning the Portuguese are now in urgent need of a quick cash injection, with City said to be the most likely to move for the Frenchman.
But the Blues are only willing to offer a nominal fee up front in January, before paying the remaining sum at the climax to this season, while both United and Chelsea have since switched their defensive focus towards St Etienne’s Kurt Zouma, who is both cheaper and thought a better long-term prospect than Mangala.