Manchester United have been handed a major transfer boost, as defensive target Nicolas Otamendi appears desperate to leave Valencia in the summer, according to the player’s agent.
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The 27-year-old has been a regular for Los Che this term and his fine form has attracted interest across Europe.
A centre-back is a priority for Louis van Gaal given United’s frailty in defence this season, having conceded 37 goals in the Premier League-five more than champions Chelsea. The Red Devils are reportedly poised to make a move for the impressive Otamendi when the summer transfer window opens.
The Guardian suggests that the Old Trafford-linked Argentine will try and force through a move away from the Mestalla Stadium after telling Valencia president Amadeo Salvo of his desire to progress his career elsewhere two months ago.
Otamendi’s agent Eugenio Lopez is quoted by the newspaper as saying, “Nicolas told Salvo to his face that he wanted to leave Valencia in the summer.
“Nicolas is happy at Valencia and with the fans but he’s got an option to improve on a professional level,” he added.
“Nico is going to do everything [possible] to leave. There are a lot of conversations with clubs that want Otamendi. Nicolas loves everything at Valencia but, if the chance arose to leave, he’d do everything possible to make it happen.”
The Argentina international has a buy-out clause of £43 million [via ESPN], and it remains to be seen whether Louis van Gaal would match this fee in order to snare the player.
To date, the defender has featured 19 times for Argentina, representing the nation at the 2010 World Cup. This season he featured 35 times in La Liga, scoring six times as Valencia finished fourth place in the division.