Porto
defender Eliaquim Mangala has been attracting interest from several big
clubs and with days of the transfer window remaining, it looks like
three of Europe's big hitters will fight it out for the young defender.
talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight looks at the France international...
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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