Flashback: Bolton to Sign Eliaquim Mangala

In the olden days, Bolton Wanderers had money to spend.

The subject of then-manager Owen Coyle's affections was Standard Liege whizkid Eliaquim Mangala who is reportedly today on the brink of a £40m move to Manchester City.

Back in 2010, the The Mirror reported that the France Under-21 defender had been a summer target for Arsenal, Tottenham, French champions Lille, Paris St.Germain,  Juventus and Udinese, but that these giants of world football had been usurped by Bolton boss Coyle who was planning to bid for Mangala - defeating other potential suitors in Valencia, Benfica and Porto.

Mangala, 20, had been likened to Spurs former Arsenal and ­Chelsea centre-back ­William Gallas, and said he wants to quit Belgium and make a move to ­either the Premier League or La Liga.

Sadly, we know how this story turned out. We didn't buy him. We probably never wanted to buy him. He went to Porto and become ace, whilst we turned to cack.

Bare papes, yo.

Oh what might have been.