Eliaquim Mangala set for medical ahead of Valencia loan

Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala is in Valencia to undergo a medical ahead of a season long loan switch to Valencia, according to reports.

Football España is reporting that French defender Eliaquim Mangala has arrived in Valencia to undergo a routine medical with the club, ahead of a season long loan switch from Manchester City.

The Spanish club are looking to sign two defenders before the transfer deadline passes later today, and Mangala has been earmarked as the man to replace Shkodran Mustafi, who has been sold to Arsenal for £35 million.

Valencia have also been linked with a move to sign Manchester United’s Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo, but Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claims that the former Sporting Clube de Portugal defender is not being considered by Los Che at the moment, with Zenit St Petersburg’s former Real Madrid centre-back Ezequiel Garay thought to be their main target for a second defensive addition.

Mangala joined City from FC Porto two years ago for £32 million. The French international has failed to fully adapt to the demands of English football, and a string of sub-par performances have seen him fall down the pecking order at the Etihad.

Following the signing of England defender John Stones from Everton for £47.5 million, Mangala is now surplus to requirements in Manchester, and has been made available for loan.