Wednesday 31 January 2018 20:45, UK
Everton have agreed a deal in principle to sign Eliaquim Mangala on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season, according to Sky sources.
It is understood Everton will cover the wages for Mangala, who is undergoing a medical at Finch Farm, with no loan fee expected for the player.
Sky Sports News reported earlier on Wednesday that the Toffees expected to complete a move for the French defender, who arrived from Porto in 2014 for a fee of £32m, and the final decision now lies with Mangala.
Everton have been interested in signing a left-sided central defender since the summer, with City willing to allow the former Porto player to leave after bringing in Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for a club-record fee of £57m.
Mangala, who has made 15 appearances for the Premier League leaders in all competitions this season, revealed to Sky Sports News in November that he feared his lack of first-team involvement under Pep Guardiola could cost him his place in the France squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer.
Should the 26-year-old move to Goodison Park he would become the third January acquisition for Sam Allardyce, after Turkey international Cenk Tosun joined from Besiktas for £27m and Theo Walcott moved from the Emirates for £20m.
