Manchester City have hit the ground running in this season’s Premier League campaign. With two 3-0 wins in two, they look the side to beat this season and to add to their claims of being the Champions, they are now on the verge of announcing a transfer for Valencia’s central defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Over the last few months now, Otamendi has been viewed as a concrete target for Manchester United, however, Louis Van Gaal decided to go with Daley Blind in the central defender role and left other teams to battle it out for Otamendi.
As it turns out, United’s city rivals have moved ahead in the race as they look to wrap up a €40million deal which will also see Eliaquim Mangala head to Mestalla on a season-long loan. According to AS, this is where United were left behind since they did not have any other player to offer to go along with their €40m bid for the Argentine International.
Otamendi has been viewed as one of the best central defenders in the game for last 12-18 months and his rapid rise has made him a key target for all the teams around Europe. For a moment, Otamendi was seen as the potential replacement for Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid, had the Spaniard left to join Old Trafford.
Elsewhere, Manchester City are also understood to be leading the race for Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne, after submitting an improved £47million bid. Signings like these will see them be the team to beat this season considering their early season form.