By Wayne Veysey

28th Aug, 2016 | 5:49pm

£42m man closes in on transfer after Pochettino makes move - reports

By Tom Blackburn

Porto have moved ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala, according to a report.

French website France Football claim that Porto are in the driving seat to secure a season-long loan for the centre-back before the window closes on Wednesday.

French outlet L’Equipe claimed on Saturday that Mangala, 25, will be offloaded by the Premier League big hitters on loan with an option to purchase, and that Spurs were one of several clubs interested in the France international.

It was said that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino had activated his French contacts to get information on Mangala and his state of mind.

The Argentine received positive feedback on the centre-back and is reportedly tempted to make a bid for a player.

But France Football say Mangala’s former club now have an advantage in the race.

Mangala has been a disappointment since joining City from Porto for £42million in the summer of 2014, but it was previously said that Pochettino was a fan of the France international.

He has played in 64 encounters during his two-year stay for the club, but he is now believed to be surplus to requirements after being left out of Pep Guardiola’s first four matches in charge.

The cash-rich club have also brought in John Stones for a mega £47.5million fee this summer, pushing Mangala further down the pecking order.

In other Tottenham transfer news, Premier League rivals line up a £12million bid for a Spurs attacker.