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City closing in on Porto's Mangala

ESPN staff
July 13, 2014
Eliaquim Mangala (right) is expected to cost Manchester City £32m © Getty Images
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Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala appears to be closing in on a move to Manchester City after he was pictured at Manchester airport having reportedly undergone a medical.

Mangala, 23, who is expected to cost City £32 million, has been a long-term target for the club. They first bid for him at the end of the January transfer window, although a move could not be agreed upon then.

There were reports that the France international was spotted on Saturday at Manchester's Bridgewater Hospital, where City often take prospective signings for medicals.

The BBC reports that City are in "advanced talks" with Porto, while the The Telegraph says City are expected to announce the signing "within the next few days".

Mangala and Roma's Mehdi Benatia were the two defenders at the top of City's shortlist this summer.

They allowed one central defender, Joleon Lescott, to leave when his contract expired, and only have three specialists in the position - captain Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis and Matija Nastasic.

Mangala, who was an unused member of France's World Cup squad, has also been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United.

City have already made one signing from Porto this summer, bringing in midfielder Fernando for £12m.

They have also signed former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna on a free transfer and goalkeeper Willy Caballero from Malaga.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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