F.C. Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala has insisted he is ‘delighted’ to continue his career at the Estadio do Dragao amid reports linking him with a £30 million January move to Manchester City.
Mangala, who is also reportedly attracting interest from the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, joined Porto from Jupiler Pro League side Standard Liège for a fee of €6.5 million in the summer of 2011.
City are believed to be preparing a £30 million January swoop for Mangala after failing with a late bid on transfer deadline day.
The France international, 22, is flattered by City’s interest, but insists he is more than happy to stay in Portugal.
“I am delighted to continue and progress with Porto,” Mangala told Sky Sports.
“I like the club and I never asked to leave and they were not willing to sell me in the first place.
“People talk about my valuation as high but it is not me who prices me. But it does not affect me, my job is to come and perform at my best on the green surface.
“Man City is nowadays one of the big clubs in the world so you are always flattered by their interest in you.”
City are very thin at the back at the moment, having ruled out new signing Martín Demichelis for six weeks, while captain Vincent Kompany could be out of action until October.
With Micah Richards nearing full fitness, a £30 million move for Mangala should be put on hold, surely.
Kroos awaits new deal talks
Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos is remaining patient over contract negotiations with the European champions, Sky Sports understands.
The treble winners have yet to open new contract talks with Kroos, who has two years remaining on his current deal at the Allianz Arena.
However, Kroos is not worried about his current situation at the club, and perhaps rightfully so. The Germany international, 23, has been a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s first-team this season, featuring in all four Bundesliga matches for the defending champions.
“I am unable to make any significant statement at this point,” Kroos told Bild. “Thus far we have not been having any negotiations with Bayern Munich.
“Fact is I am under contract but I am able to imagine doing a lot of things.
“The best [thing] to do actually is to be patient, since I am aware that German players have very much gone up in the estimation of foreign clubs.”
Meanwhile, Bayern have opened new contract talks with centre-back Jerome Boateng.
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