Newcastle keen on Mangala

Newcastle are keen to sign Eliaquim Mangala.

According to a report in The Chronicle the Manchester City defender is one of Rafa Benitez’s top transfer targets.

Mangala has just completed a season on loan at Valencia but despite City looking to completely revamp their defence it seems that he has no place in Pep Guardiola’s future plans.OK

City splashed out £32m to sign Mangala from Porto in 2014 but are unlikely to get close to that figure in the transfer market with his season at Valencia littered with 13 yellow and one red card from 33 appearances.

Benitez is keen to get the spine of his team right and is confident that Mangala can slot straight in to his defensive plans.

Getting the defender in on loan may be an option but with two years left on his contract Manchester City are likely to be looking for a fee rather than let a contract run towards the last 12 months.