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Manchester United join Chelsea and Barcelona in Eliaquim Mangala chase
MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing to step up their interest in Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala after sending scouts to watch the player over the weekend.
Reports in Portugal suggest that United scouts were present to run the rule over Mangala as Porto took on Maritimo on Saturday.
Mangala helped Porto keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 win and his assured display is sure to have impressed those keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.
Jose Mourinho is known to be an admirer of the French international and was thought to be plotting a move to bring Mangala to Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer.
But it now appears that the Blues will face competition from United and Barcelona, who also had scouts present on Saturday.
United were reported to be focussing on Benfica's Ezequiel Garay but have been out off by the Portugese club's £21.5m asking price.
Porto are thought to be very reluctant to part with Mangala, who joined from Standard Liege for £5.5m in August 2011, but could be willing to listen to offers in the region of £12m.
Barcelona have been in the market for a new defender this summer but had stated their willingness to wait until January before splurging on reinforcements with Carles Puyol nearing a return to fitness.
Whether the Catalan club now looks to make a move for Mangala in light of the interest of Chelsea and United remains to be seen.