PSG considering swoop for Manchester City flop Eliaquim Mangala – who is also wanted by Newcastle
Out of favour defender wanted by French giants as Pep Guardiola looks to recoup £18m for the star
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are considering a move for Manchester City flop Eliaquim Mangala, according to reports.
The 26-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements by Citizens boss Pep Guardiola - but he will only allow him to leave in a permanent deal.
City forked out £32million for the centre-half to sign him from Porto in 2014.
And they will be hoping to recoup at least half of that fee considering he still has two years remaining on his contract.
PSG want to add a fourth central defender to their ranks but do not want to spend big on the French international.
claim that the Ligue 1 giants are believed to favour a loan deal, the same as fellow suitors Newcastle United.
New sporting director Antero Henrique has stopped a number of big money signings – most notably Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – as he felt it did not represent good business.
PSG secured their first recruit of the summer by signing Real Sociedad left-back Yuri Berchiche to replace Maxwell.
Henrique, alongside boss Unai Emery and recruitment chief Joao Luis Afonso, have identified the backline as an area that needs reinforcements.
However, Emery is worried about upsetting the hierarchy of the current established trio of captain Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and academy graduate Presnel Kimpembe.
They have already missed out on a deal for Pepe because they were unwilling to grant the veteran a two-year contract and therefore Mangala is the next option being considered.
Henrique knows the former Standard Liege defender from their time together in Portugal, while Emery watched his performances for Valencia during his season-long loan there.
There is clearly interest there, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can struck between City chiefs and the tough negotiator Henrique.