Eliaquim Mangala appears set to join Napoli in coming days after Manchester City approved a loan move for the central defender according to The Times.
The French defender cost City £42 million two years ago, has failed to see any first-team action this season as a result of John Stones’ arrival at the Etihad and is not included in Pep Guardiola’s plans this season with skipper Vincent Kompany still set to return from injury.
Mangala has shown signs of promise during his time at the club, but most notably he has failed to hold down a regular first-team place having made 47 first-team appearances to date.
AC Milan and Valencia were also said to be interested in the player, but the attraction of Champions League football gave Napoli the edge over both clubs.
Le10Sport reporting via CityWatch are claiming the 25-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is set to arrive in Manchester on Thursday (English Time) in order to work out the details of the player’s future.
If a does for Mangala does go through it could go a long way to helping Premier League rivals Chelsea strengthen their squad ahead of the close of the transfer window.
In their same report, The Times speculate that any deal may give Napoli the necessary replacement they need for Kalidou Koulibaly who has been linked to the Blues all summer.
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