Manchester City in talks with Porto's Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando

Manchester City are in talks over a £35million deal to sign Porto centre back Eliaquim Mangala and his team-mate Fernando.

City have been tracking Mangala, 22, for some time knowing the buyout clause in the Frenchman’s contract is £37.8m. Porto value Fernando, 26, at £7m even though the defensive midfielder from Brazil will be a free agent in the summer.

However, it is understood that a joint figure of £35m could be agreed if City are prepared to do business before Friday's deadline.

That would be another remarkable statement of intent by Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who have taken the Barclays Premier League by storm after spending more than £100m on new signings last summer.

Mangala has interested a number of top clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, but Pellegrini identified the former Standard Liege defender as his top target some time ago.

The City manager has been in the hunt for a new centre back since last summer, when he failed to sign Pepe from Real Madrid and then compromised by bringing in Martin Demichelis from neighbours Atletico.

The uncertainty over the Mangala deal is believed to be the reason why Joleon Lescott’s future at City has been left in the balance.