Eliaquim Mangala Set to Join Manchester City in €40 Million Deal
Eliaquim Mangala is finally set to make his Premier League debut, with the French international defender poised to join Manchester City. After weeks of speculation linking him to several top European clubs, the 23-year-old has reached an agreement in principle with the English champions, according to French broadcaster RMC.
Manchester City reportedly agreed to pay €40 million to secure the Porto centre-back’s services. Mangala successfully passed his medical examination last Saturday and is expected to be present when the club’s pre-season training resumes on August 4. The defender will wear the number 20 shirt for the Sky Blues.
The Franco-Congolese player is set to earn an annual salary of around €5.5 million at City and sees the move as an opportunity to compete at the highest level in the UEFA Champions League with one of Europe’s elite clubs.
In the search for a new central defender, City manager Manuel Pellegrini chose Mangala over other targets such as Roma’s Mehdi Benatia, who had also attracted interest from the club. Mangala’s steady rise at Porto — where he developed into a key figure — earned him a place in the French national team and attracted attention across Europe.
Now facing the challenge of living up to a hefty €40 million price tag, Mangala is expected to form a solid defensive partnership with club captain Vincent Kompany. This pairing could provide Manchester City with a reliable and formidable defence as they look to compete domestically and in Europe.
