In what would be the costliest transfer of the winter window, Manchester City are said to have made a sensational £38 million bid for Eliaquim Mangala. The Porto centre-back is reportedly undecided on his future at the Estádio do Dragão and is weighing up his options, but may not leave Portugal before the World Cup. Mangala is said to be cautious about running the risk of destabilising himself in what represents a crucial six month spell as he hopes to make the cut for Didier Deschamps's French squad. City are however prepared to fork out a gigantic fee for the 22-year-old, made all the more incredible by the fact he is a defender. The Citizens need a new centre-back with Joleon Lescott set to join Aston Villa, Vincent Kompany struggling with injury at various stages this season and Martín Demichelis failing to settle.
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.
