It has been reported in the Mirror that Manchester City have made fresh approaches to FC Porto regarding their talented defender Eliaquim Mangala.
The player has a huge buy-out clause of an estimated £40m which the Portugese Champions say they will not negotiate on except to offset with a further loan of a player not in favour at the club.
The report suggests that Porto accept the player will move on in the Summer but that letting him go now is not something they are keen on.
The French international is valued at somewhat less that £40 million and was sold by Standard Liege to Porto for £4.4 Million in 2012. The 22-year-old centre-back has expressed his desire to play in the Premier League with Interest also from Chelsea in his services but plans to finish the season in the Primeira Liga before playing in the World Cup as reported by L’Equipe via Sky.
"You can have the best agent in the world, but if you are not outstanding on the pitch you will never join any great club," he told L'Equipe.
"The Premier League? That is no secret, to me it is the most beautiful league in the world.
"That is no secret, to me it is the most beautiful league in the world. Whatever the opponent, you know it will be a fight. The game is intense, it is fast, and everyone is giving his very best."
Eliaquim has made a total of 21 appearances for FC Port this season and has played six times in the Champions League. City are looking to shore up their defense and a deal in January could pave the way for a loan move to West Ham of Joleon Lescott if Manuel Pellegrini can persuade the Frenchman to join.
The player is a powerful centre-back who started his career as a left-back but is happy to play in either position. He has been on the wanted list for Man City since last season and is seen as the perfect replacement for Lescott who has fallen out of favour.
Man City have work to do and may ultimately decide that the asking price is too rich even for them this January transfer window.
Source: DSG
