Name: Eliaquim Mangala
Date of birth: 13 February 1991
Born: Paris, France
Club: Porto
Position: Centre-back
International: Three France caps
Honours: Two Primeira Liga winners medals
What's the latest?
Mangala has been linked with Chelsea throughout the summer, but recently both Manchester United and Barcelona are said to have scouted the player. Barcelona are insisting they won't sign a defender in the current window, though there is a feeling they could be attempting to make a discrete move for the Porto man. United, meanwhile, appear to have moved on from previous target Ezequiel Garay.
Did you know?
1) Mangala is a fast and powerful centre-back who is also excellent on the ball and has excelled in Portugal since his £5.5m transfer from Belgian side Standard Liege in 2011. He can also play at left-back.
2) In 2009, while at Standard Liege, he was linked with a transfer to Arsenal, after scoring against the Gunners in Liege's 3-2 home defeat in the Champions League.
3) In 2011, Spurs and Everton were competing for his signature, but it was Porto who won the race for the highly-rated youngster.
4) A seasoned U21 international with 23 caps to his name, Managala made his first senior appearance for France on 5 June, 2013 in a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay. Luis Suarez scored the winner.
5) The Frenchman was a regular presence in the Porto back-line last season, making 39 appearances in all competitions, and scoring seven goals.
They say
“Barcelona and Manchester United spent all summer scouring the market for a centre-back to add to their ranks. Scouts from both clubs were present at the Estadio do Dragao on Sunday to watch Mangala perform against Maritimo.”
- Marca on the Man United and Barcelona interest.
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