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Nicolas Otamendi to Manchester United: £35million centre-back tells Valencia he 'wants to leave' this summer

Argentinian has been a United target since last summer

Tuesday 26 May 2015 11:36 BST

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Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi has told his club Valencia that he wants to leave the Mestalla this summer, according to reports in Spain

The centre-back, 27, has reportedly become Louis van Gaal's top defensive target after Mats Hummels announced his intention to stay with Borussia Dortmund.

Valencia managed to qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the season, but the Argentina international has reportedly told the club's hierarchy that he doesn't see his future with the club.

"Nicolas told [club president Amadeo] Salvo to his face that he wanted to leave Valencia in the summer," Eugenio López, Otamendi’s representative told the Spanish radio station Cadena SER.

Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

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1/10Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton, 24)

With Rafael never getting close to favour under Louis van Gaal, right-back has been a problem area all season for United, with Antonio Valencia filling in at the position. Whilst Valencia has done well, Clyne is now England’s first choice and easily in the top three in his position in the Premier League. Southampton will not want to sell another one of their stars, but the player seemingly wants to move.

Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Radamel Falcao (Monaco, 29)

Who knows what will happen with the Colombian. Certainly he is not worth anywhere close to the mega move United were considering when they agreed to loan him last summer, having only scored four goals all season. But with his track record as one of the world’s best, United would be foolish not to consider a cut-price move, just in case he’s not broken once and for all.

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Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, 25)

If a deal were to go through it would be an absolutely massive coup for the club, of course, and you know Manchester United will be exploring any possibility of a move. Despite his perceived unhappiness in Spain, Bale’s agent said he will be staying at the Bernabeu next season. Would cost a massive fee but would instantly turn the club into title contenders.

Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Edinson Cavani (PSG, 28)

Manchester United will surely be tempted if he is available despite having bigger needs elsewhere in their squad. Despite the perception that he has struggled to fit in at PSG, Cavani still has 50 goals in 91 matches for the club and has played the majority of his time there out of position on the wing. Tall and athletic he seems like a perfect fit for the Premier League, although he will cost a huge fee.

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Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, 28)

The potential transfer of the Spurs and France No 1 is entirely wrapped in the future of David De Gea - if the Spaniard moves to Real Madrid then United will be scrambling for a new goalkeeper and there aren’t many better than Lloris. He’s four years older than De Gea but still young for a keeper.

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Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund, 24)

With Michael Carrick ageing and Wayne Rooney forced to play in the middle at various points this season, central midfield will be one of Van Gaal’s top priorities. The Borussia Dortmund man, 24, is a classy operator, strong on the tackle and a box-to-box threat. He is apparently being chased by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, among others, so United will have to move quickly.

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Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund, 26)

The World Cup winner should be United’s top target this summer, they have no bigger hole to fill than in the centre of their defence. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are all talented defenders, but none of them have the leadership skills necessary and are a level below the very best. Hummels’ arrival would immediately improve the whole backline.

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Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia, 27)

Like Hummels, Otamendi is the dominant type of centre-back that United are missing. He’s a bit on the short side – 6ft – but is a forceful character and very competent on the ball. Louis van Gaal should be considering a move for both, although that will take out a significant chunk of his transfer budget.

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Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Kevin Strootman (Roma, 25)

It seems as if Louis van Gaal has been linked with the Roma midfielder for the entirety of his reign, who suffered another knee injury back in January and has only played seven times in all competitions this season, his only games since the original injury last April. If he can get back to full fitness then the Dutchman is a dominant midfielder with an eye for goal. But it’s a big ‘if’.

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Manchester United: Potential transfer targets summer 2015

Felipe Anderson (Lazio, 22)

The Brazilian attacking midfielder has been linked with a £30m move to Old Trafford despite stating he wanted to stay in Rome. The 22-year-old scored 10 goals and added seven assists for Lazio last season and is seen as a potential star of the future.

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"Nicolas is happy at Valencia and with the fans but he’s got an option to improve on a professional level.

"Nico is going to do everything [possible] to leave. There are a lot of conversations with clubs that want Otamendi. Nicolas loves everything at Valencia but, if the chance arose to leave, he’d do everything possible to make it happen."

Salvo has since responded saying that Valencia will fight to keep him and that any potential deal would cost €50million (£35.4m).

"Valencia do not give in to pressure from any agent or any comments," Salvo stated via the club's Twitter account. "Valencia's position will always be the same. If Otamendi wants to leave he will have to say it publicly.

"If he wants to go he will have to come to the club, not an agent, and pay what the club decide he is worth, which is €50 million at least, and with the payment structure that Valencia decide.

"Otamendi is a Valencia player and we are extremely happy with him. Valencia have not received any offer. In any case Valencia are very happy with the player and we would like that he sees out his contract with us."

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