Rumour: Manchester United target Eliaquim Mangala to replace Vidic

Manchester United manager David Moyes is well underway in his preparations for what is expected to be a busy summer of transfer activity, with reports suggesting that he has sent the club’s scouts to watch Porto centre back Eliaquim Mangala.

Should the defender sign for the club, then he would provide a long term replacement for departing captain Nemanja Vidic, who has announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season. Mangala would compete with Chris Smalling, Johnny Evans, Phil Jones and – assuming that he does not also leave the club – Rio Ferdinand for a place at the heart of United’s defence.

However, Moyes is likely to face stiff competition should he make an offer for 23 year old Mangala, as the centre back has also been linked with moves to United’s Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea over the past few months.

A move to Chelsea may be less likely now that the Stamford Bridge club have signed promising St Etienne centre back Kurt Zouma, but City are widely expected to return with a move for Mangala in the summer, potentially sparking a bidding war between the two Manchester sides.