According to a recent report, Eliaquim Mangala’s future following his loan spell with Valencia could potentially scupper Arsenal’s chances of making a move for one of Los Che’s coveted youngsters.

  • City considering swap deal for player Arsenal have scouted for ‘years’
  • Arsenal are in the market for defensive reinforcements
  • A move for Sead Kolasiac seems more realistic for Arsenal

Jose Gayá, who turns 22 at the end of next month, has been on Arsenal’s radar for a few years now. The Spanish fullback has asserted himself as a first-team regular in recent seasons but muscular injuries have restricted him to 24 league matches this term.

Valencia are very much a mid-table club at present, sitting uncomfortably in 12th place. Eliaquim Mangala is a forgotten man at Eastlands following Pep Guardiola’s arrival last summer, but still a defender of high value nonetheless.

The French centre-back has admitted that his future is currently uncertain, but he himself has featured regularly for Valencia this season and they could be interested in his signature on a permanent basis if he becomes available.

As quoted by the report Mangala said, “We will see what will happen at the end of the season. There are still matches left and we’ll see what happens.

“No [they haven’t told me anything], and I prefer it [like that]. [I’m] calm, concentrated on the field of the play, and then we’ll see.”

City are expected to have a significant summer of both outgoings and acquisitions as Pep prepares to build his team to challenge for trophies next season having been lacklustre and inconsistent this term.

Mangala is very much a rough diamond but with John Stones at City, it’s unlikely that Guardiola will want Mangala to return as anything more than a rotation option, which will not make him content.

As a result, City are reportedly interested in a swap deal – Mangala for Gayá. Valencia are struggling financially to raise £16m, which would complete Mangala’s deal on a permanent basis and see a swap as a possible solution.

Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Schalke fullback Sead Kolasinac seems as though it would limit Gayá’s first-team opportunities at present. So while Arsenal have been scouting Gayá for a while it seems as if they might have moved on to other targets.