Porto’s star defender Mangala pleased with link to Premier League…
Porto’s 22-year-old French centre-back Eliaquim Mangala is flattered to be linked to Premier League side Manchester City, but insists he is happy at his current club, reports the Daily Mail.
The rangy defender has been heavily linked with a host of top European clubs following a brilliant season last term, where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising defenders in world football.
Mangala is defensively solid, but also has the technical attributes to start attacks from the back, and would be comfortable with the ball at his feet, which is an attribute City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s appreciates his centre-backs to have.
“I am delighted to continue and progress with Porto,” Mangala said when asked of City’s reported interest.
“I like the club and I never asked to leave and they were not willing to sell me in the first place.”
Mangala has won three caps for his country, and made 39 appearances for the Portuguese champions last season, scoring an impressive seven goals.
“People talk about my valuation as high but it is not me who prices me. But it does not affect me, my job is to come and perform at my best on the green surface,” he added.
The defender did confirm though that a link to a club the size of City is always flattering for any player.
“Man City is nowadays one of the big clubs in the world so you are always flattered by their interest in you,” he said.
City though thought that Porto’s £30m asking price was too hefty, considering they had already spent almost £100m on Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic, Fernandinho and Jesus Navas this summer.
Instead, they opted to snap up veteran stopper Martin Demichelis, who has since been ruled for six weeks. With Vincent Kompany out injured, Pellegrini will have to trust Matija Nastasic and Joleon Lescott as his first-choice partnership for the time being.
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