OPINION
Eliaquim Mangala is one of a number of Manchester City players out of contract over the summer, as detailed by Sky Sports, and Manuel Pellegrini should go all out to be reunited with the defender at West Ham.
The former City boss signed the Frenchman for the Blues in 2014 in a deal that was heralded at the time, but has largely fallen flat for the 27-year-old.
Despite winning a Premier League title together, neither men were able to have the impact they wanted in Manchester, with Pellegrini leaving in 2016, and Mangala being sent out on loan to Everton last winter before ultimately returning to warm the bench.
The chances of him getting a new contract are slim, and West Ham could pull off a real coup by picking him up on a free.
Not too long ago Mangala was regarded as one of the best you defenders in Europe, and given the right patience and belief, could still be a very useful player for the Irons.
Pellegrini knows him well, and Angelo Ogbonna has proven in recent weeks that if the Hammers are serious about becoming a force to be reckoned with, they need to bring in defensive reinforcements.
Manchester City’s forgotten man could become a cult hero at the London Stadium.