Nicolas Otamendi is desperate to leave Valencia amid interest from Manchester United.
According to Marca, the Argentina international decided at the end of last season that his career at the Mestalla Stadium was over, and he would seek a transfer in the summer window.
The Spanish newspaper claim that, such is the defender’s determination to leave Los Che, the 27-year-old is refusing to play any part of his current club’s pre-season preparations, perhaps a suggestion that he may look to force a move – if needs be – in the coming weeks.
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Louis van Gaal – having not signed a player since Memphis Depay’s arrival was confirmed [via Sky Sports] – shocked Europe when Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin [via BBC Sport] and Torino’s Matteo Darmian [via BBC Sport] signed for the club within just two days.
And the former Netherlands manager appears far from finished in the market – and Otamendi could be his primary target at present.
According to the Telegraph, while the Premier League giants have been heavily linked to Sergio Ramos, the Spain international’s commitment to Los Blancos’ pre-season tour hints that the 29-year-old will be remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond the summer window.
The English newspaper have therefore described Otamendi as an ‘alternative target’ to Ramos – despite previous reports claiming that van Gaal wanted to partner the international pair at the heart of his Old Trafford defence [via the Daily Star].
The report states that the centre-back carries a price-tag of £25m.
The Express yesterday said that the Red Devils are desperate to complete a deal for the former FC Porto star, and have tasked super-agent Jorge Mendez with the job of making the transfer happen this summer.