The Valencia are repeatedly building the picture that Elaquim Mangala will have to return to Manchester City at the end of the season.
The player has recently spoken to Super Deporte claiming he doesn’t know much about his future, and the club president will have to decide it.
The Spanish side wouldn’t be interested in activating a clause Super Deporte say is ‘close to €20m’ at the end of the season, so the player would return to England. The same Spanish newspaper have previously claimed the clause is €18m, so it seems they’re talking it up.
Signed from Porto for €30m in 2014, Mangala struggled to justify his price tag at Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola not keen enough to keep him. In a poor season generally for Valencia, Mangala has been impressive and it’s curious that the club aren’t trying to keep him.
Previously it was reported by Valencia’s local media that they’d try for an extra year loan deal, with the explanation being the club dearly want to keep Mangala but will be using their summer budget for other purchases.
This could all be part of a plan to pressure Manchester City on price and/or terms. Given Mangala’s good form in La Liga, the Premier League club should stand strong to all of it and openly try to sell the player elsewhere.
It’s worth playing Valencia at their own game. Judging by their transfer business in recent years, they’re not very good at it.
