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Cape Town - Out-of-favour Manchester City defender, Eliaquim Mangala is reportedly on the verge of sealing a move to La Liga outfit Valencia.
Spanish newspaper Marca report that the Frenchman is undergoing medical examinations as he closes in on a return to the Mestalla.
The 28-year-old defender played for Los Che on a season-long loan deal during the 2016-17 campaign, making 33 appearances for the club.
He did not play a single minute of first-team football last season after making just two appearances for Everton during the previous campaign.
Mangala damaged knee ligaments within a fortnight of joining the Merseyside club in the January transfer window of 2018, coming off in the 3-1 Premier League win at home to Crystal Palace on Febuary 10 after falling awkwardly.
He was targeted by former club Porto earlier this summer, but any deal fell through because of a failed medical.
Reports in Portugal back in July stated Porto were worried about Mangala's previous knee injury and pulled out of the transfer, despite agreeing suitable terms with City.
The Premier League champions were willing to accept a cut-price deal or a loan exit for the defender who had fallen a long way down in the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.
Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral had made it clear since the opening of the summer transfer window that he needed more strength in depth to his central defensive options.
City star Nicolas Otamendi had dropped major hints he was keen on a return to his former club, but nothing materialised for him before the English transfer window closed.
Los Che also encountered difficulties in their attempts to sign top defensive target Victor Laguardia from Alaves, with reports claiming his price suddenly "skyrocketed".
Mangala will compete for a place in Valencia's defence with experienced Ezequiel Garay, former Arsenal man Gabriel Paulista and youngster Mouctar Diakhaby, who was signed from Lyon last summer.
