Manchester United and Arsenal have been linked with Valencia’s solid centre-back Nicolas Otamendi for sometime now. Naturally, the La Liga club wants to keep hold of their key player. Reports claim the club has placed a A?60 million buyout clause on the centre-back to ensure his stay at the club.
Reportedly, a Premier League club had made a A?27million offer for the defender which was rejected.
And Valencia are believed to have begun contract talks with Otamendi in an attempt to rubber-stamp his stay at the club. The Mirror stated that Los Che are going to increase his wages to A?70,000 per week, which would be double his current salary.
The Argentine started his career at home for Club Atl tico V lez Sarsfield, a club he joined as a seven year old. Gradually progressing up the youth ranks, he made his senior debut in 2008 as a 20 year old. After spending three years in the senior team, he was prized away by Portuguese biggies FC Porto, where he stayed for four years. In February last year, Valencia secured his services for or a 12 million, on a five-year contract starting on 1 July. He was immediately loaned to Clube Atl tico Mineiro in Brazil for the remainder of the season. The ongoing season is Otamendi’s first one for the Mestalla side and his solid and composed performances have already made him a key figure and a fan favorite. He has made 19 league appearances for Valencia, and has also scored two goals for the side. In the 2-1 victory over Real Madrid, the Argentine put in a man-of-the-match performance.
The Argentine international’s current deal with Valencia runs until 2019, so even if he doesn’t sign a new contract, he’ll still warrant a large fee, but it is no surprise Valencia are ensuring that even if the talented defender is sold, it is for a large sum.
It would be surprising to see Otamendi move away from Valencia already. Deadline day can bring many surprises but chances of the 26 year old switching clubs seem incredibly bleak, if possible at all. However, we can see Manchester United and Arsenal, or more clubs, try and secure his services in the summer as the player would be an asset to have in most top sides, if his present performances are anything to go by. Valencia would hope the player agrees to a new deal quickly.