This one is hotting up and could well be Manchester United’s next deal. While the talk of Hummels joining Manchester United seems to have cooled, the idea of Nicolas Otamendi adding to the Argentinian contingent at Old Trafford next season looks to be very much a serious prospect.
Latest reports suggest that the player has decided that he wants to move to Manchester United. The Daily Mirror leads with:
Nicolas Otamendi has told friends he is “desperate” to move to Manchester United, as Valencia hold out for the defender’s £35million release clause.
Otamendi – A good player. But £36m? Stop pulling my chain
We know that Argentinians rarely struggle with the physicality of The Premier League. Otamendi is also quick and loves to get forward at set pieces – 6 goals in 38 games in his first season at Valencia proves that point.
And over the last few days he has been quoted as saying that his future is in his agent hands:
‘I’ve spoken with my agent and Valencia know what I want,’ admitted Otamendi.
‘Right now, I’m enjoying each day alongside [Angel] Di Maria, [Marcos] Rojo, [Carlos] Tevez, [Lionel] Messi and the other players who are leaders here.’
That he name checked three Manchester United players, past and present may or may not be significant. But he would add strength to an area of the pitch which has looked all at sea at times over the last couple of years.
The loss of Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra, so quickly was always going to provide Manchester United with problems and its taken time to replace them. But a back line including Rojo, Shaw and Otamendi looks pretty tasty to us.
Let’s see the lad in action. Manchester United fans: can Otamendi become an Old Trafford great?
