Blues look like beating arch-rivals United to Frenchman’s signature.
Chelsea are set to step up their interest in highly-rated young FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, according to reports in the Sunday Mirror.
The France international has only been with the Portuguese giants for the past two seasons now, having signed for the club from Belgium outfit Standard Liege for only 6.5 million euros in Aug 2011.
However, in the intervening two-year period the central defender has already become one of the most sought-after players on the Continent, with new Blues boss Jose Mourinho even trying to sign Mangala while he was in charge of Real Madrid.
The west London club know though that they will have to move quickly this summer in order to snap the 22-year-old up, with the likes of Premier League champions Manchester United also understood to be keen to bring the centre back to Old Trafford for next season, although Chelsea are believed to still be in the driving seat to sign Mangala.
COMMENTS