Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Franck Kessie, Eliaquim Mangala

Manchester City and local rivals Manchester United have reportedly made contact with the agent of Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie over a possible future move.

According to Pasquale Guarro of Calciomercato (h/t Dipesh Agarwal of Sport Witness), the two Premier League sides have had dialogue with the teenager’s representative, George Atangana, after his sensational beginning to the Serie A season.

As noted in the report, Juventus are also said to be big admirers of the player, and it’s been reported they currently have an edge in the race for Kessie. Napoli are also noted as possible suitors.

Given the talent the Ivory Coast international has shown on a regular basis this season, it’s no surprise to see a crop of illustrious clubs linked to him.

Here’s why many consider him to be the best prospect in Italian football at the moment:

From a central midfield position, the 19-year-old has offered an attacking thrust to an Atalanta team that sit in fifth place in the Italian top flight, just five points back on league-leaders Juventus.

Indeed, despite his tender years, Kessie has been their star man. There are still rough areas to his game, especially in terms of his defensive duties, but the youngster is so dynamic in the middle of the park. He’s frequently slalomed through tackles and thumped rasping drives towards goal.

Earlier in the season, OptaPaolo summed up just how impressive Kessie had been in front of goal for Atalanta:

City have made strides to sign some of world football’s most exciting rising stars, with Leroy Sane, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus already on their books. Kessie is another player that’d fit that transfer strategy, and he could potentially be a long-term successor to his veteran compatriot Yaya Toure at the Etihad Stadium.

It’s important Kessie makes a considered decision, though. Despite his storming form in recent weeks, he’d struggle to nail down a regular spot in the teams aforementioned, and subsequently, a major transfer may not be ideal for his development.

Valencia Unlikely to Sign Eliaquim Mangala

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According to Marca (h/t TalkSport), Eliaquim Mangala is set to return to Manchester City next season, as Valencia can’t afford to sign him on a permanent deal.

In the report, it’s noted the La Liga side do have an option in their current loan agreement to sign the France international at the end of the campaign. However, it’s said to stand at almost £30 million, an amount Valencia are unwilling to shell out on the former Porto man.

City manager Pep Guardiola obviously deemed Mangala wasn’t the right stylistic fit for his setup, which requires all players to be composed in possession. The 25-year-old didn’t show that requisite distribution during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

While he’s turned in some isolated commanding displays for Valencia, in the main, Mangala has been part of a very poor defensive structure, as noted by AFP’s Kieran Canning:

Indeed, Valencia find themselves just two points clear of the relegation zone in La Liga, precariously positioned in 16th place. Given European football looks beyond them already this term, it’d be no surprise whatsoever if they turned down the chance to make a costly acquisition in Mangala.

The defender has seen his stock fall sharply in recent seasons, having signed for City in 2014 for a British-record fee of £32 million. He’ll be at a crossroads in his career come the end of the campaign, and with Guardiola in charge, it’s difficult to see him forging a future in Manchester should Valencia take a pass.