Mangala could form an intimidating central defensive partnership with Vincent Kompany…
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Premier League Champions Manchester City are set to make their fourth major addition of the summer transfer window by completing a deal for centre-back Eliaquim Mangala.
Goal.com are reporting that the Frenchman has arrived in Manchester to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed £31.8m move, which could be finalised by the end of the weekend.
The 23-year-old currently plies his trade for Porto, where he has made 92 appearances and scored an impressive 13 goals since joining from Standard Liege in 2011. His form for his club side earned him his first international call-up last year, and he was a part of the French World Cup squad this summer.
Mangala will put pen to paper on a long term deal worth around £90,000-a-week. He will replace the departing Joleon Lescott in the City squad, and could take over as Vincent Kompany’s central defensive partner.
Manuel Pellegrini has been searching for an elite defender to partner Kompany for some time, with Lescott and Martin Demichelis often criticised for their performances last season, while Matija Nastasic struggled for fitness.
The deal brings an end to a long pursuit for City, who came close to signing Mangala in January but were ultimately frustrated by Porto’s unwillingness to negotiate on a valuation.
City have already signed Mangala’s former club teammate, midfielder Fernando this summer, as well as Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna and Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
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