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Man City steal march on Man United and Chelsea for Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala
MANCHESTER CITY appear to be leading the race to land Eliaquim Mangala after opening up talks for him according to reports in France.
City's bitter adversaries United have been monitoring the French international and dispatched a scout out to Portugal to run the rule over him.
Chelsea are also believed to be tracking the 22-year-old with Jose Mourinho thought to be an admirer.
But it seems that City, who are trying to compensate for the loss of Vincent Kompany, have opened up talks to try to sign the promising defender.
A report in French paper L'Equipe claims City are prepared to pay Managala's £38m release clause.
However, the defender has yet to decide upon his next even though he could quadruple his salary at the Etihad.
It is now thought he will speak to Manuel Pellegrini to see where he would stand as far as playing time goes when Kompany return to action.
City are expected to shore up their defence by completing a £4m deal for Martin Demichelis.