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Juventus Interested in Making a Move for Man City Outcast as Potential Bonucci Replacement

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Italian Champions Juventus are interested in making a move for out-of-favour Manchester City centre-back Eliaquim Mangala.

The French defender spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Spanish side Valencia after it became clear that he wasn't part of Pep Guardiola's plans for the Spaniard's first season in charge of the Manchester club. 

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But it seems like Juventus may be the next club for the 26-year-old, with ​TuttoMercatoWebclaiming that the Turin side had tried to contact the defender during the summer.

Mangala, who played in the loss against rivals Manchester United in Houston last week, returned to Manchester at the end of his loan spell after the Spanish side could not afford the £17.5m asking price that City are rumoured to be wanting. 

It wouldn't be a surprising enquiry after Juve recently sold one of their most important defensive players, Leonardo Bonucci, to Serie A rivals AC Milan. And in a country that is famed for its defensive dominance, Juve will want to fill that gap with a skilled and experienced player.

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Juventus are reportedly planning a loan move worth £5m for Mangala, with an agreement to sign the player permanently at the end of the 2017/18 season.

With Man City's spending on full backs this transfer window already totalling over £120m, there's still a possibility of  Guardiola adding a centre back or two to go along with new signings Benjamin Mendy, Danilo and Kyle Walker.