Report: City future in Mangala's hands amid Porto interest

Eliaquim Mangala's fate lies completely with him as new Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola overhauls and reshapes the defence.

The French defender is subject to reported interest from FC Porto, the club he left for northwest England two years ago for £42 million, but is expected to leave for a significantly reduced sum given his struggles at City.

Despite occupying a position that seems relatively stacked considering the potential arrival of Everton's John Stones and Jason Denayer's return after a Galatasaray loan spell, the Manchester Evening News' James Robson understands it's up to Mangala whether he stays or not given the three years left on his contract. The defender will also not be forced out of the club by Guardiola.

The 25-year-old initially signed a five-year deal in Manchester, and before Denayer and maybe Stones turn up for preseason training, he still has to usurp captain Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi in the starting XI.

Martin Demichelis wasn't retained by City after a 2015-16 season which laid bare his dwindling powers at the age of 35. Another potential departure could be crowd favourite Pablo Zabaleta, whose agent has apparently been in talks with Inter Milan.

A player heavily linked with a transfer to City was Aymeric Laporte, but that deal fell through when the defender signed fresh terms with Athletic Bilbao. The availability of Arsenal's young right-back Hector Bellerin is being monitored, however.

Guardiola will oversee his first competitive City outing in its 2016-17 Premier League opener against Sunderland on the weekend of Aug. 13.