Premier League giants and city rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are on alert as La Liga club Valencia CF have decided to keep Argentine center back Nicolas Otamendi out of their squad for a UEFA Champions League clash.
Manchester United have been linked with the defender since a long time and the Red Devils were keen on luring the player’s service. But as time passed their interest cooled as several other defenders were on the club’s radar. In the mean time United’s city rivals Manchester City have joined the race to get Otamendi.
Manchester City have been in search of a quality center back who could team up with captain Vincent Kompany to bolster the backline. The club had bought Eliaquim Mangala last season for a huge sum of money but the Frenchman proved to be a big failure at the club. Martin Demichelis is the only other option left in the Cityzen’s defense.
Manuel Pellegrini is believed to have contacted the Argentine while he was at Chile for Copa America 2015. It is being reported that Pellegrini had a fruitful discussion with Otamendi and that might prove crucial in the transfer race.
Manchester United too lack quality defenders in their squad. Even though they have several central defenders in their player’s roster, not even one can suffice Lois van Gaal’s demands. The Red Devils were linked with high profile names like Sergio Ramos, John Stones etc. But now it seems that none of them will turn up at Old trafford this summer.
It will be an interesting battle between the two powerhouses of English football. The Manchester clubs will flex their money muscles one last time in this year’s transfer market to strengthen their squad.
Valencia had asked the clubs to match Otamendi’s release clause of 50 million Euros but now it seems that the Spanish side has come back from their stance and are ready to negotiate with interested parties. Their ommission of Otamendi from the squad clearly hints that the Argentine defender is up for sale in this summer.