Belgian side Standard Liege are reportedly keen on bringing Eliaquim Mangala back to the club, according to VoetbalNieuws.
The Frenchman is the most expensive defender in British football yet today he finds himself being linked with a return to a club he left five years ago.
Standard Liege, under the management of former City defender Daniel Van Buyten, sit 7th in the Belgian league currently, and after the loan signing of Victor Valdes, they’re now plotting an audacious move for City’s 24-year-old centre-back.
It is at Standard Liege between 2008 and 2011 where Mangala started to build his reputation before moving to Porto.
It is thought that Van Buyten’s City connections could be key to a deal however the Belgian did only play a handful of games for the club.
A move for Mangala this window seems very unlikely for two main reasons, Mangala is more than willing to prove himself and fight for his place. This was evident seen last summer when he rejected a loan move to Valencia as part of the Otamendi deal. City are also now down to two fit centre-backs Nicolas Otamendi, who is still adapting to the Premier League, and an ageing Martin Demichelis.
After Vincent Kompany reportedly suffered a setback in his recovery and with just over a week left in the transfer window, it’s rather improbable City would let Mangala go with games coming thick and fast at this stage of the season.
