Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with Porto centre back in the inner being Mangala for some time now.
But with Manchester City also in the hunt many had assumed that he would end up in the light blue next season.
However, reports that initially surfaced last week, have been reasserted by The Guardian’s Manchester sports correspondent Jamie Jackson. He told talksport that the player would prefer to move to illustrious clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea.
Both teams could use a new centre back but Manchester United’s need is arguably greater. Having lost Ferdinand and Vidic in one summer Manchester United are suddenly without the bedrock of their success over the last 7 years. While the club can still call on the likes of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, Louis van Gaal will surely want to add another big name to the ranks.
But Chelsea too will be in the market for a centre back with news of the departure of David Luiz to PSG for a whopping fee. Chelsea never seemed to trust Luiz as a defender, despite his sporadic brilliance, and will see the fee that they got for him as excellent business. Now Mourinho can turn his attentions to a solid, no-nonsense stopper and Mangala certainly fits the bill – he’s absolute class.
Manchester United and Chelsea fans – should Mangala be the number 1 priority?