City press Porto star for an answer

FC Porto v Olympique Marseille - Pre-Season Friendly

Manchester City will issue an ultimatum to Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala next week after growing frustrated in their long-running pursuit of the defender, Football Express News understands.

The 22-year-old, who was the subject of an unsuccessful Blues bid in January, insisted he would not make decisions about his future until France’s World Cup campaign came to an end.

He was an unused substitute as Didier Deschamps’ men crashed out of the competition yesterday following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Germany, and Premier League champions City will now press him for an answer.

A source close to the Etihad Stadium told FEN the towering centre-half remains boss Manuel Pellegrini’s primary transfer target, but the League Cup holders will move on to other targets if he continues to stall.

The club insider revealed the fear in the corridors of power is that Mangala is holding out for a switch to a London club, and could be prepared to stay at Porto for another year in order to make it happen next summer.

Roma’s Mehdi Benatia represents the most likely alternative for City, and if the Mangala deal fails to materialise they are almost certain to bid for the Serie A star, who is five years older than the Frenchman.