Mangala transfer news

Reading today that we may try and sign him before the deadline and then let Lezza go to the Hammers.

Not for £38M please.

Yeah, I get the feeling something is in the pipelines....MP just won;t bring himself to say "no more movement"

All he says is that "we don't talk about it"

£38m is a lot of money.....can;t see us paying that when Zouma is available for around £18m.

Still, like people say, it's not our money and if it seriously strengthens one of the areas we are clearly in need of strengthening, and we go on to win the league and a cup or two because of it.....then we won't complain.

On the other hand, if we don't....and our defensive frailties cost us....then we'll be moaning that we should have spent some more money.

Just like the Mata deal....if £40m gets them a CL place...it'll be money well spent.

We are definitely one world-class defender away from having a Champions League winning squad.

The price shouldn't matter - we're in an amazing position, a potential 4 trophy position. Let's not throw it away.

Porto are planning showdown talks with Eliaquim Mangala's representative amid reports Manchester City have tabled an eye-watering £38m bid for the defender.

City are keen to beat rivals Manchester United and Chelsea to the signature of the highly-rated Frenchman and are believed to be willing to match the club record fee they paid to sign Sergio Aguero to land Mangala this week.

However, sources in Portugal claim Porto president Pinto da Costa is not willing to sanction the 22-year-old's departure this month, preferring a summer deal instead.

Either way, Porto must decide the centre-back's future soon and senior officials are expected to meet with Mangala's agent over the next 24 hours.