Manchester City are said to be moving close to securing a deal to sign £20million-rated Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala.
Reports in the Portuguese media suggest City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain was at Porto last night to see Mangala score the winner in their Europa League clash against Sevilla.
That is being taken as an indication that City are in the final stages of scouting him ahead of a move at the end of the season.
The France international defender is also a long-term target for Chelsea and Manchester United, but it was City who launched a bid for him in the last transfer window.
Their £38m double swoop for Mangala and team-mate Fernando was rejected on transfer deadline day. That won’t deter Manuel Pellegrini’s side from bidding again this summer, though.
The 23-year-old joined the Porto from Standard Liege in a £5.4m deal in 2011. He has helped them to back-to-back Primeira Liga titles during his time there.
