According to reports, Manchester United are unlikely to make a move to sign Nicolas Otamendi before the transfer window closes next month.
Louis van Gaal has once more been active in the market this summer, with around £70million spend on adding Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian and Sergio Romero to his options. However, as the deadline draws ever closer, many supporters and pundits alike expect the Dutch coach to move for a striker and a central defender.
It has been widely reported that Otamendi is being lined up to fill the latter. The Argentina international, who would link up with compatriots Marcos Rojo and Romero should be move to Old Trafford, has 25 caps for his country and has been plying his trade in Europe since 2010; firstly in Portugal where he helped Porto to three league titles, which led to Valencia four years later.
It is in Spain where the 27-year-old has really caught the attention, and he is now regarded as one of the best central defenders in La Liga. This has led to widespread reports that United are prepared to pay around £30million to lure him to Manchester, but according to Sky Sports News HQ, there is no substance in such speculation and the player is not on van Gaal’s radar.
Meanwhile, the Reds travel to the Midlands on Friday night to take on Aston Villa. Both sides got their campaigns off to wins on the opening day, with United beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 and Tim Sherwood’s side winning at Bournemouth by the same scoreline. Van Gaal has confirmed that David de Gea, still a target for Real Madrid, will again not be involved in his squad.
