Manchester United target Otamendi to refuse to attend Valencia pre-season training to push through move

The Argentinian centre-back intends to leave Valencia this summer, with English giants Manchester United reported to be in the driving seat for the 27-year-old

NicolA?s Otamendi had an outstanding 2014-2015 season with Valencia in La Liga and was rewarded for his consistent brilliance with a spot in the La Liga Team of the Season. The Argentina international’s performances have attracted attention from some of Europe’s top clubs, and the former Porto defender now wants a step up in his career.

Otamendi intent on forcing through summer transfer

The 27-year-old had a successful Copa America with Argentina despite losing in the final to hosts Chile, and is expected back for pre-season training with Valencia on the 26th of July after an extended break.

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According to Spanish newspaper MARCA, Otamendi could consider not reporting for training with his club in a bid to push through a move to Manchester United. The report claims that the Argentinian has made up his mind and is determined to push through a move this summer window.

However, Valencia – who will not be desperate from the money from his sale – are refusing to budge from their position, and will only sell if a suitor meets the defender’s release clause, which is reportedly set at around a 50 million.

Defender likely to leave, but transfer could drag on the entire summer

The reports of Otamendi’s planned ‘rebellion’ might be wide of the mark considering that the defender is currently on holidays and thus probably unavailable to confirm or deny the story, but it is still quite likely that a move will materialise this summer.

However, Manchester United – who seem to be the clear front-runners for his signature – will have to pay an amount that is at least close to his release clause of a 50 million. Louis van Gaal will be looking for defensive reinforcement this summer and is unlikely to rely on the centre-back pairing of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling next season.

Manchester United have already bought ambitiously this summer, but a centre-back like Otamendi is a major piece that the Red Devils are missing in their jigsaw. It is likely that vice-chairman Edward Woordward will try to negotiate down the price for the defender though, meaning that this transfer could drag on for the remainder of the summer window.

Refusing to attend training could only worsen the situation for Otamendi and make any potential negotiations between Manchester United and parent club Valencia more difficult, so it would be a surprising move from the Argentinian should he choose to go down that route.

Either way, it appears as though the 27-year-old has made up his mind and will eventually get his move.