Valencia sign Manchester City's Eliaquim Mangala on loan

Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala has joined Spanish side Valencia on a season-long loan.

France international Mangala has decided to spend the season with La Liga club Valencia after failing to feature in any of City's first five games of the season.

He arrives after Valencia allowed Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi to join Arsenal. 

Mangala had been linked with a move to the Mestalla last season but turned down the opportunity in order to fight for his place at City.

The 25-year-old moved to the Etihad for a reported £42 million from Porto in August 2014 but has struggled to make an impact in his two seasons in the Premier League.

He had to wait five weeks before he was given his debut under previous boss Manuel Pellegrini and struggled in only his second appearance away to Hull City where he scored an own goal and gave away a penalty in a 4-2 victory.

Mangala made just 47 appearances for the club and failed to play a single minute for new City boss Pep Guardiola in either preseason or the opening five matches.

He could not make the bench for the opening game of the season against Sunderland despite injuries to fellow centre-halves Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi while John Stones played four days after completing a £47.5m move from Everton.

I have always loved Arsenal – Mustafi

Shkodran Mustafi revealed he sought feedback from Arsenal star Mesut Ozil ahead of his move to the Emirates Stadium.

Mustafi will be confirmed as an Arsenal player this week after manager Arsene Wenger announced only paperwork had to be finalised for the Germany international to complete his transfer from LaLiga side Valencia.

And as the 24-year-old former Everton centre-back closes in on a switch to London, where he will be play alongside fellow German defender Per Mertesacker, he said countryman Ozil helped persuade him to sign for Arsenal.

“I did not see Per for a long time because he quit international football but I talked to Mesut,” Mustafi told Sky Sports Germany.

“He told me everything I wanted to know. Everything was positive, so I was convinced very fast. It did not take much.

“I have always loved Arsenal, I like how they play here, it is not typical English.

“The game here is more like in Spain and with the German national team, keeping the ball on the grass, so it was easy to convince me.”

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo closing in on Valencia move

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is reportedly closing in on a move to Valencia.
The 26-year-old is expected to leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window next summer as Jose Mourinho looks to trim his squad.
The Argentine, who has not featured in any of United's matches so far this season, is deemed surplus to requirements by the manager.
Deporte Valenciano reports that Valencia have opened talks with United over a possible €12m (£10.3m) deal, with the Spanish club's owner Peter Lim enjoying a good relationship with the Red Devils.
That would see United make a loss on the figure they paid for Rojo just two years ago, but the club are understood to be willing to take a financial hit in order to get him off their books.
Any move for Rojo to Valencia could also see Shkodran Mustafi complete his switch to Arsenal.