Manchester United or Manchester City will be the next destination for Argentina and Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi.
The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United all summer, with his agent, a few times, making it clear his client wants to leave Valencia and move to the English Premier League this summer.
Louis Van Gaal is in the market for a centre-back, someone who can command the backline, and having lost out on Mats Hummels, who decided to stay with Borussia Dortmund for at least another year, the Manchester United manager has had to look at alternatives.
Otamendi is certainly one of them, even if the Valencia man went a little under the radar as Manchester United did their best to convince Real Madrid to sell Sergio Ramos during discussions over the David De Gea transfer.
However, nothing seems to have come of it at this point – anything is still possible, but it does look like Ramos might stay with reports suggesting Real Madrid are going to make the Spain international their captain for next season – leaving Manchester United to try and finish the deal for Otamendi.
Two obstacles remain, however. First, is the price, with Valencia refusing to budge from the €50million (£35m) amount, and second, is the fact that Manchester City are also interested in the centre-back's signature.
However, a transfer, be that to Manchester United or Manchester City, looks certain, with Otamendi's agent Eugenio Lopez, who has asked for help from super agent Jorge Mendes, set to fly to Manchester to try and conclude a deal, once discussions over a fee are completed, according to AS.
Otamendi's camp are confident a transfer fee mutually beneficial for all parties can be agreed upon. "There are formulas for the treatment to be given and everyone benefits," a source told AS.
Valencia, who are looking at Ezequiel Garay as a replacement if Otamendi leaves, look like they have no choice but to sell their defender, as the Argentinean has reportedly refused to report back to the club for the new season.
The defender would have been given extended leave anyway owing to his presence for Argentina at the Copa America, but, reports suggest he will not arrive for preseason at his appointed time in an attempt to force Valencia's hand.
Van Gaal has already strengthened his team considerably, with Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian all signing, with more inclusions expected.
Manchester City have already shelled out £44m, rising to £49m, on Raheem Sterling, and while the Financial Fair Play Rules have been relaxed, only time will tell if the 2014 champions will be willing to spend another £35m or so on Otamendi.
