Manchester City are set to swoop for Porto pair Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando before tonight's transfer deadline, according to the BBC. City manager Manuel Pellegrini was cagey about potential new arrivals at the club following his side's 5-1 win over Tottenham on Wednesday night. However, both players may join the Premier League leaders today. France defender Mangala is rated at £35 million and plays at centre-half, an area where the Citizens have been weak at various times this season due to injury to Vincent Kompany. Fernando meanwhile would add to City's already-large pool of midfielders. Mangala has also been tracked by derby rivals Manchester United as well as French champions Paris Saint-Germain. If the 22-year-old moves to Etihad Stadium, it increases the possibility of Joleon Lescott leaving the club on loan. The centre-half is a target for West Ham United. Fernando was a target for Everton last summer and manager Roberto Martinez attended a work permit hearing but the deal collapsed. The Brazilian has also been linked with a move to Italian giants AC Milan. City have been quiet in this month's window and are yet to make any signings, but that could change by tonight's 23:00 deadline.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
