Manchester City tell Inter Milan: Take Eliaquim Mangala - but no Nicolas Otamendi

MANCHESTER CITY have told Inter Milan they can buy Eliaquim Mangala but not Nicolas Otamendi.

Eliaquim MangalaGETTY

Eliaquim Mangala has been told he can leave Man City

Inter have targeted both central defenders and while Pep Guardiola is keen to keep Otamendi, he is happy to sell Mangala who spent last season on loan at Villareal.

Mangala’s representatives are understood to have already met Inter officials but the two clubs have yet to agree a fee. City’s asking price is around £18m – £24m less than they paid for the France international three years ago – may prove a stumbling block.

Mangala and Otamendi both figured in City’s 1-0 defeat to Girona in a friendly in Spain last night.

The match was only notable for the comeback of Ilkay Gundogan who came on for the final 20 minutes to make his first appearance since rupturing knee ligaments last December.

Meanwhile, City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes has been called up to the Brazil senior squad for the first time alongside team-mates Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho for the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia next month.

I am very happy to have been called up by the national team

Man City keeper Ederson Moraes

And he says the competition provided at club level by Claudio Bravo has helped raise his game.

He said: “I am very happy to have been called up by the national team. It’s another achievement in my career and I’ve worked very hard for this moment.

“Brazil has good options for the goalkeeper position and now I will go, enjoy and give my best when the squad meets up.

“I believe it is very positive for Manchester City to have two great goalkeepers at their disposal. Whoever Pep decides to play, will be able to manage the job well.”

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?