City fail to agree deal for Porto pair

Posted Saturday, February 01, 2014 by ESPN

Manchester City have admitted defeat in their attempts to sign Porto pair Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando.

City fail to agree deal for Porto pair
Eliaquim Mangala is highly-rated by FC Porto.

The Premier League leaders had hoped to bring in the French defender and the Brazilian midfielder in a double deal that could have cost them up to 35 million pounds.

Instead, they have resigned themselves to finishing January without making any signings after Porto were thought to be reluctant to reduce their asking price.

Centre-back Mangala, 22, will remain a target in the summer when City are likely to need a replacement for Joleon Lescott, whose contract expires at the end of the season and who is unlikely to be offered a new deal.

Fernando, who will be out of contract at Porto in the summer, is expected to attract the interest of several clubs, including Manchester United.

City staff had prepared themselves to work late on Friday in case the club could complete a deal for either player.

However, the failure to bring in either player means City only have Javi Garcia, who is currently sidelined, and the oft-injured Jack Rodwell to offer cover in midfield for Yaya Toure and Fernandinho while in the centre of defence, Martin Demichelis remains Vincent Kompany’s partner.