Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala is wanted by Porto as Pep Guardiola is not fan
Portuguese giants 'dream' of re-signing their former star with incoming Etihad boss likely to sanction any sale of Frenchman
Porto are interesting in bringing Eliaquim Mangala back from Manchester City, according to reports in Portugal.
The Frenchman became the most expensive defender in British history when he moved to England in the summer of 2014 for £42million, but has struggled to justify the huge outlay with indifferent displays.
And claim that Porto “dream” of re-signing their former star this summer — adding that incoming City boss Pep Guardiola is happy to see the defender leave the club.
Manuel Pellegrini brought Mangala to the Etihad with the hope of establishing a No1 central partnership with Vincent Kompany at the heart of the Citizens’ defence.
However, he struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and often found himself rotated with fellow summer signing Martin Demichelis.
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Clearly dissatisfied, Pellegrini convinced the City board to splash out £28m on Valencia central defender, Nicolas Otamendi — who has also failed to truly prove he can cope with the Premier League’s high intensity.
Mangala joined Porto from Standard Liege in 2011, building himself a reputation as one of the top defenders around with some commanding displays.
He was a target for numerous leading clubs around Europe, but it was City who beat their rivals to the punch paying a mega fee.
But it has not worked out as hoped, with an own goal and concession of a penalty in a 4-2 victory over Hull particularly memorable.
Guardiola appears intent on bringing in a new central defender — despite missing out on first-choice target, Aymeric Laporte.
And is likely to sanction any sale of Mangala, who is currently with the France squad at Euro 2016.