AC Milan interested in Eliaquim Mangala as Lyon confirm interest in he and City teammate – City Watch

AC Milan are showing interest in Manchester City outcast Eliaquim Mangala and the defender is keen on the idea of a new adventure in Italy, Eurosport France reports.

Mangala, 26, is currently considering his future options with several interested clubs, including Lyon, who are also keen on his Manchester City teammate Jason Denayer.

Speaking to Canal+ today, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said, “Denayer arriving? It is not certain. Mangala? He interests us, yes.”

However, it is reported by Eurosport that Mangala would favour a move to Serie A over France, where he has never actually played club football despite being a French international. Having moved to Belgium at the age of five, Mangala would play his club football in his nation of birth for the first time if he moved to Lyon.

But it is Milan that attracts the centre-back, because it would allow him to progress tactically and become a better all-round defender. Milan are spending heavily this summer and have the finances to pay both Man City’s asking price and offer Mangala a competitive salary, something Lyon and Valencia, who would love him back after a successful loan, would struggle to.

For now nothing is certain, but AC Milan’s interest in Mangala is mutual and an Italian adventure could be an ideal next step following his disappointing spell at Manchester City.