Mangala: I would prefer Chelsea move over Manchester City

Posted Monday, May 19, 2014 by Goal.com

The Premier League champions failed to agree a fee with Porto for the defender in January and the France international says that London would be the more appealing destination

Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala says that he would prefer to move to Chelsea rather than Premier League champions Manchester City as the race heats up for the 23-year-old's signature.

The France international has impressed hugely in Portugal, leading to links with a host of top clubs and he even came close to moving to the Etihad Stadium in January - though, as revealed by Goal, the clubs could not agree a fee.

But, should City follow up their winter interest in Mangala this summer, the centre-back says that he would prefer a move to Chelsea and warned that any transfer would have to wait until after the World Cup.

When asked which club he would rather join, he told BeIn Sports: "City or Chelsea? Chelsea because it is London.

"It is true that I love the Premier League because it is a spectacular championship," Mangala added.

"In January, there were discussions with City but it fell through because the two clubs could not reach an agreement.

"My goal now is the World Cup. We will see what happens after that. I told [agent] Jorge Mendes that I don't want to know anything about the transfer window until then.

"Every player wants to play in the biggest clubs. I am an ambitious player and the team that can help me win titles is the one that interests me."