According to reports from The Daily Mail yesterday evening, Manchester City are in ‘advanced talks’ with Valencia over a £28million deal for star defender Nicolas Otamendi.
The Argentina international was nothing short of sensational for the Mestalla outfit last season, netting six times in 35 La Liga appearances whilst averaging 2.9 tackles, 3.1 interceptions, 7.3 clearances and 3.5 successful aerial duels per match.
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That’s resulted in copious links with Manchester United amid their summer search for a star-studded centre-half. Last week, for example, Spanish journalist Nacho Cotino claimed to have seen ‘legal documents‘ confirming they were about to sign the 27 year-old, whose contract includes a £35million release clause.
But follow-up reports revealed United aren’t interested in signing Otamendi – and in fact never have been – leaving fellow suitors Manchester City a free run at the 6 foot defender.
And according to The Mail, their negotiations with Valencia have now reached ‘advanced’ stages, with a £28million transfer almost agreed.
The deal is likely to see a City centre-back go the other way on loan; either £32million signing Eliaquim Mangala or former Celtic loanee Jason Denayer.