Valencia are looking at other options as back-up, in case they’re unable to persuade Manchester City to give them Eliaquim Mangala on the cheap, or allow the Frenchman to move on another season long loan.
Unwilling, and according to some unable, to take up their buying clause of €20m (€18m according to earlier reports), Valencia would consider a cheaper purchase or another loan, and for Manchester City to continue to subsidise a portion of the defender’s wages in the latter case.
Sport say Jorge Mendes has been ‘exploring possibilities’ with Manchester City over Mangala’s future.
Super Deporte, a local Valencia newspaper, say that during a Manchester summit, when Valencia officials travelled to the city to meet with Mendes, the club retierated their desire to keep Mangala for a further year.
That very much sounds like they’d prefer the loan option, which Manchester City may not.