Newcastle United and West Ham are going head to head in their bid to sign Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala before the close of transfer window today.
The Premier League duo are looking to bolster their squad ahead of a potential relegation scrap.
Mangala has fallen further down the pecking order after the signing of Aymeric Laporte and knows his only chance of playing regularly this season is to go out on loan. He has been the fourth choice center-back before the arrival of Laporte, behind Vincent Kompany, John Stones, and Nicolas Otamendi.
Pep Guardiola would not stand in the way of Mangala and only had good things to say about the defender when asked why he signed Laporte with Mangala still on their books. Guardiola admitted that Mangala has been helpful to them this season especially in the absence of one of the first choice defenders.
Valencia, where Mangala spent last season on loan, are also interested in bringing him back as they chase a Champions League spot.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is desperate to add Mangala to his team after finally getting permission from Mike Ashley to spend some money in the transfer market.
David Moyes has also been left without a choice but to make a new defensive signing following the injury to Winston Reid and James Collins.
