Latest on Otamendi

Nicolas Otamendi has been left out of Valencia’s kit launch as his transfer to Manchester United inches closer to completion. 

The Argentine Centre-Back has been linked with Manchester United all summer, and with not lot of time remaining it is understood that he is ready to go on a strike to force the deal through.

Valencia have tried to stall negotiation all summer by continuously saying that they are not ready to lower his price and they will only let Otamendi go if Manchester United agree to pay his hefty release clause amount. That stance in recent days has loosened up; they are now resigned to losing the CB. He was a noticeable absente in recent photo shoot and Kit Clause of Valencia.

An imperative figure at the back for Valencia last season, Otamendi would have certainly been present at the club’s kit launch, but he was nowhere to be seen in the picture released by the club.

The move comes amid recent reports Manchester United is ready to part ways with Jonny Evans for 8million pounds to Everton. However, Roberto Martinez was quick to deny rumors in his press conference. Speaking to the media he said “It is not true. There’s nothing. I always said I am going to be commenting publicly on any of the names that have been shared around but I can tell you clearly that there is nothing true in that story.”

It is also reported that Manchester United have given up on chase of Sergio Ramos. Real Madrid have no intention of letting Ramos go and they are ready to wait for 1 year for David De Gea. They recently bought Kiko Castilla and also have Navas for next season.

So the situation is clear, Manchester United need to over the top the get Otamendi. It only makes sense that they were reluctant to pay the asking price even though Otamendi was very good last season, Valencia bought him for $13 million one and half season ago from Porto, considering age his price should not inflate so much even in this market. But I guess Manchester United do not have any other choice in the market, so they will have to pay something they were clearly trying to avoid.