Connect with us

Transfer Rumours

United and Chelsea battle it out for defender

eliaquim-mangalaManchester United will face strong competition from Chelsea in their quest to sign Porto and France centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, after Barcelona pulled out of the race for the 23-year-old, who’s been on United’s radar for months now.

The French international looked poised to move to Manchester City at the end of the season, but the Premier League champions have since cooled their interest after reports suggested Mangala himself wasn’t particularly keen to moving to the Etihad and would prefer a move to either United or Chelsea.

Both clubs need to bolster their defensive options, with United having to fill the gap left by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, while Chelsea have to replace David Luiz, after the Brazilian international joined PSG for £50m earlier this month.

Barcelona were also tracking the French international, as they have to replace Carles Puyol after the curly-haired centre-back announced his retirement at the end of the season, but the Catalans have now pulled out of the race as they consider the £36m Porto demand for Mangala too hefty a fee, claims the Daily Star.

Mangala has emerged as one of the best young defenders in Europe, making 74 appearances and scoring nine goals since joining from Standard Liege in 2011, but while his talent is unquestionable, United might be wary of splashing over £35m on a player who might still lack the experience required to compete at Premier League level.

Louis Van Gaal isn’t a manager afraid of throwing young defenders at the deep end of the pool – three defenders in Holland’s starting XI at the World Cup are 24-year-old or younger – but Mangala would require a huge investment for a player his age and, has it been widely demonstrated by Marouane Fellaini, a hefty price-tag can hinder a player’s progress.

 

Latest News

Topics