Transfer gossip: Eliaquim Mangala, Lazar Markovic, David Ospinam, Didier Drogba and Alberto Moreno

Eliaquim Mangala

Manchester City are expected to announce the signing of 23-year old French international defender Eliaqiem Mangala within the next few days. The Porto centre-back has been continually linked with a move to the Ethiad since January, but City manager Manuel Pellegrini is expected to wrap up an estimated £32 million deal by next week. He would be City’s second signing from Porto this transfer window, with Pellegrini having already added anchor-midfielder Fernando to his Premier League winning side.

Lazar Markovic

Liverpool are poised to make their fourth signing of the summer, with the highly-rated Benfica and Serbia winger having bid farewell to his teammates in Portugal. Markovic posted ‘Thank you for everything and goodbye!’ to his Facebook profile, with the 20-year old expected to complete his switch to Anfield in a deal rumoured to be slightly less than £20 million.

David Ospina

After an impressive season in Ligue 1, Nice and Chile goalkeeper David Ospina is being courted by Arsenal as they look to provide Wojciech Szczesney with some backup and competition. The Gunners have made the 25-year old their top priority having already wrapped up the signing of fellow Chilean Alexis Sanchez. Ospina only has 12 months remaining on his contract, and his eye-opening World Cup performances may be what convinces Arsene Wenger to splash out the £3 million Nice are requesting.

Didier Drogba

Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba has been linked with a sensational return to Stamford Bridge, as Jose Mourinho looks to provide new signing Diego Costa with some backup. Following the departure of Samuel Eto’o, and with Fernando Torres, Demba Ba, and Fernando Torres all being linked with moves away from London, Mourinho may turn to 36-year old Drogba, who he also wants to play a coaching role. The Ivorian has also been approached by Italian giants Juventus, but he may be tempted by the prospect of reuniting with Mourinho.

Alberto Moreno

Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre is expected to fly out to Spain in the next few days to wrap up a deal for Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno. The 22-year old powerhouse has been linked with a move to Anfield all summer, but it is believed that an £18 million deal is coming ever so closer. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been desperately searching for a left-back for a while now, and it seems Moreno might be exactly what he’s been looking for.