Manchester City loaned Eliaquim Mangala to Valencia at the start of the current season, with the Spanish club having a clause to buy the defender for €18m.
Valencia are having a torrid season and the club have been in crisis both on and off the pitch, but Mangala has been a pretty good recruit for them overall. Therefore it may be assumed Valencia would be keen to use their option, €18m isn’t a huge fee but is a huge discount on what Manchester City paid Porto for the player.
The figure is still too high for Valencia, with Spanish newspaper Sport reporting on Thursday that it’s unattainable for them. Valencia have been skirting around FFP for some time, after committing themselves to costs which could only balance easily with European football.
It’s not just the €18m, Mangala is on wages too high for Valencia, and right now Manchester City make a contribution.
This all leads to inevitable further talks between Valencia and Manchester City to find a way Mangala can stay. Otherwise, City will have to place the defender on the open market, assuming Pep Guardiola still isn’t a fan.