Newcastle are lining up a loan deal for Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala as Rafa Benitez’s desperation for January recruits continues to grow.
Benitez has already seen moves for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, who joined West Brom on loan, and Feyenoord hitman Nicolai Jorgensen fall flat and is desperate to add to his squad before the transfer window shuts on Wednesday.
Mangala was a target for Benitez in the summer and the Magpies boss is now poised to revive his interest in French centre-back, according to the Daily Mail, who will be surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium once City to tie up a club record £57 million deal for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte.
It is believed that Newcastle have already made an enquiry about 26-year-old Mangala’s availability on loan until the end of the season and are willing to cover the majority of his £80,000 weekly wage.
The arrival of Laporte will push Mangala further down the pecking order and surely spell the end of his underwhelming time with the Premier League leaders following a £42 million switch from Porto in 2014.
As for Newcastle, who have already borrowed Kenedy from Chelsea, taking Mangala on loan could be a risky move with clubs only permitted to sign to two loan Premier League loan signings and Benitez still hoping to secure a striker and goalkeeper before the deadline.
