Valencia star Nicolas Otamendi is going to hand in a transfer request in order to try and force a move to Manchester United, reports the Daily Star.
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However, the Red Devils may have some competition for the 27-year-old, with the Daily Express believing that Real Madrid are going to rival them for his signature. If Los Blancos were to beat the Red Devils to his signature it could mean a double blow to United involving the Galacticos. Goalkeeper David De Gea is currently being strongly linked to a move to the Bernabeu by Goal.com.
However, Louis van Gaal may have an advantage over them in this case. Apparently Otamendi has been speaking to fellow Argentina internationals Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo about life at Old Trafford and likes what he hears. The trio are currently together as part of their country’s squad for the Copa America. As a result he has spoken to Valencia president Amadeo Salvo, telling him he wants to leave.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes has been tasked with making the deal happen, but the centre-back’s own agent Eugenio Lopez said on the matter: “Nicolas is comfortable with Valencia and the fans, but will have an option to improve his career.
“Jorge Mendes already knows that Nico wants to leave the club. Nico will do everything possible to get it (a move to United). He will do everything possible to leave.”
The player himself even added: “Valencia know very well what I want. Every word my agent says is obviously with my authorisation, with whoever he needs to speak with. I will leave it in his hands to do what he must do.”
The Red Devils could be getting a very good player if they are successful in their efforts to sign Otamendi. The former Porto man was at the heart of a defence that only conceded 32 goals in 38 La Liga games during the last campaign, a total which only Barcelona and Atletico Madrid bettered.