Manchester United’s need for a new central defender this summer is going to see the club linked to lots of different defenders.
That has already begun to happen but Argentinian outlet Diario Olé took reports linking Nicolas Otamendi with Man United one step further by suggesting a preliminary agreement was already in place between Otamendi and United for him to move to Old Trafford after this summer’s Copa America.
The 27-year-old has been in great form for Valencia this year but with Champions League qualification hanging on a knife edge as they will miss out on the tournament if they lose the game.
We wanted to know what fans thought of the potential signing of Otamendi by Van Gaal?
https://twitter.com/FutbolFinn/status/601128847237603328
https://twitter.com/ConstantRed/status/601133172731031552
https://twitter.com/TotalUnited/status/601126434883694592
Otamendi is a MUST if Hummels is staying at Dortmund. #mufc
— Serge Adam (@SergeMUFC) May 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/FutbolFinn/status/601159667155345408
Any move for the Argentinian centre back, who has had a ridiculously good season, is likely to happen AFTER Copa América, according to Olé.
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) May 20, 2015
Those who have watched enough of Otamendi this season are convinced he is the perfect defender or United and there are plenty of reasons why.
Firstly, you only have to look at his recent record to show how impressive his fitness is. Otamendi has completed the full 90 minutes in every one of his ten appearances over the last two months. During that time, he has scored twice and was named Man of the Match on three occasions.
Otamendi looks like the sort of leader at the back who could help transform United’s defence into a cohesive unit again, something which is desperately needed next year.
He wouldn’t be cheap as Valencia have a €50m release clause with him but if United do indeed have a preliminary agreement with Otamendi himself, a deal to bring him to Old Trafford is already well underway.