Report: Everton could still buy Eliaquim Mangala this summer

Follow us on Google Discover

Eliaguim Mangala only played twice on loan at Everton from Premier League rivals Manchester City before being ruled out for the season.

Everton signed Eliaquim Mangala on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day in the hope that he would solve their defensive problems.

It is fair to say Sam Allardyce’s best laid plans went very quickly awry. The Frenchman endured about as bad a debut as is humanly possible in a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, in which he was at fault for at least two of the Gunners’ goals.

And, just halfway through his next game against Crystal Palace, Mangala damaged his knee ligaments and has not been seen again.

Allardyce even went as far as to confirm, via the Sun, that the former Porto man would not feature again this season.

But that does not necessarily mean that Mangala will never pull on that famous Everton blue. The Sun (27 March, page 55) points out that Manchester City let their £32 million defender stay at Goodison Park in order to undergo his rehab.

And it is understood that a further spell on Merseyside, perhaps even a permanent deal, is still in the pipeline at the end of this season.

Now that would be a surprise considering that Mangala played just twice for Everton and hardly impressed in his fleeting spell in the Toffees’ starting XI.

But it is hardly a secret that Everton are still looking for defensive reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window, so it would make sense to give Mangala a second chance after such a brief audition.