Newcastle could be set to miss out on another top target after the chairman of French side Olympique Lyonnais confirmed the club had made an approach for Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala.
The Sun claimed at the start of June that the Magpies were eyeing up an £18million move for the French defender this summer, with his Premier League experience making him a valued target to boss Rafael Benitez.
Sources close to the Etihad claimed: “Newcastle have shown a keen interest in Mangala.”
However, it appears as though they will face stiff competition for the centre-back from Lyon, after owner and chairman of the French club Jean-Michel Aulas opened up about a move for the 26-year-old.
He told French football website Foot Mercato: “Several approaches have been made with 4-5 internationals – Eliaquim Mangala is one of them.
“He came to meet us, it is a proof of obvious interest when a player takes the initiative to come and see the president of the club in which he wants to play.”
This follows a tweet from French journalist for This is Goal, Maxime Horbez, who revealed on Tuesday that the 26-year-old had arrived at Lyon’s training ground to discuss personal terms.
https://twitter.com/MaxHorbez/status/877132358809288705
This news will come as another big blow to Benitez and his side in this summer’s transfer window, after the Mirror reported that Magpies lost out to fellow Premier League side Swansea in the hunt for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.
The Spanish manager will be looking for defensive reinforcements this summer, with four of his first choice defenders at Newcastle having suffered relegation back at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Mangala spent the 2016/17 season on loan to Spanish side Valencia, where he made 30 league appearances and found the back of the net on two occasions.