Manchester City centre-back Eliaquim Mangala has decided against moving to Newcastle United or West Ham in favour of Everton, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claimed in their live transfer blog on deadline day [09:03am] that Mangala, 26, is close to an agreement with Everton, who are expecting to complete the signing of the eight-times France international later on Wednesday morning.
Mangala, a £42million signing from Porto in 2014, is understood to be moving to Goodison Park on loan until the end of the season in the wake of Aymeric Laporte’s completed switch to Man City on Tuesday.
Sam Allardyce sees Mangala’s ability to play at left-back as a big advantage due to Leighton Baines’ injury.
The report says that Man City want a £1million loan fee for the Frenchman, who has made 15 appearances in all competitions this season.
Good move for Everton?
Absolutely. Mangala is a quality centre-back who has now been allowed the chance to shine at Man City under Pep Guardiola. He may not have been brilliant, but the Frenchman would clearly be a key player for a team outside the top six. Newcastle and West Ham are missing out on a really good player but it seems that they have priorities elsewhere anyway. Rafa Benitez wants a striker and David Moyes has been linked with an array of midfielders. The £1million loan fee for a half-season switch is an absolute steal for the Toffees.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
Mangala looks sure to leave Man City on deadline day after dropping further down the pecking order thanks to Laporte’s arrival. Everton have the cash to spend and at £1million it’s a shrewd buy. The Mirror claims that the deal is expected to go through before midday so that gives the Toffees plenty of time to wrap things up if anything was to go awry.
This is Futbol rating 9/10