Lyon pursuing Manchester City outcast Mangala

Looking to bolster an unpredictable and porous backline, Lyon is pursuing Manchester City centre-half Eliaquim Mangala.

After conceding 48 goals last season in Ligue 1, the third-worst total among top-half clubs, Les Gones are earmarking Mangala as a potential upgrade, and club president Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted as much.

"In central defence, several approaches have been made to four to five internationals. Eliaquim Mangala is among them," Aulas said, courtesy of ESPN FC.

"He came to meet us. It is proof of a clear interest when a player takes the initiative to come and see the president of a club in which he wants to play."

Surplus to requirements under Pep Guardiola at City, Mangala, 26, spent last season on loan at Valencia and impressed in 30 appearances. With two years remaining on his deal at the Etihad, City will hope to recoup part of the €30.5-million fee paid to Porto for the French international. And after Les Gones sold Corentin Tolisso to Bayern Munich for a whopping €41.5 million, there are a few extra euros kicking about the Stade des Lumieres.

For club mouthpiece Aulas, Lyon's interest in Mangala stems from shared ambitions.

"You know he belongs to Manchester City, that he's a candidate for the France squad if we qualify for Russia. It's Lyon's wish to have very ambitious recruitment in all its first teams," Aulas added.

Related: Lyon upbeat over move for Chelsea's Traore

Eyeing reinforcements both at the back and in attack, Aulas also confirmed that a move for Chelsea's Bertrand Traore, another marquee player who spent last season on loan, is nearing completion.

"We're fine-tuning the talks," Aulas conceded. "It's a very ambitious operation, one that fits with what we had said. I hope to be able to conclude the deal in the next 10 days, if possible before the end of the week."