Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi is reportedly pushing for a move to Real Madrid in the summer.

Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Nicolas Otamendi is keen on making the switch from Manchester City to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window to replace Pepe, who is set to depart from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Otamendi joined City in the summer of 2015 after spending a solitary, albeit fruitful, campaign with Valencia. The player’s spell at the Etihad Stadium, though, has been topsy turvy as he has struggled to play at high level on a consistent basis for the Citizens.

Poor form and injuries have also seen the Argentine filter in and out of the starting eleven, and he made 43 appearances across all competitions for City in 2016/17. However, with Vincent Kompany returning to fitness and with Pep Guardiola set to place his faith in John Stones, Otamendi now risks falling down the pecking order at City.

Celebrating a move to Real Madrid? (Photo courtesy - Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
Celebrating a move to Real Madrid? (Photo courtesy – Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

The report states that Otamendi recognizes that he does not have much of a future in Guardiola’s side and is unsettled at City. The player, therefore, is pushing for a move away from the Etihad Stadium in the summer, with Real Madrid being his favoured destination.

Otamendi’s entourage made first contact with Real Madrid in March, as per the report, and they have now stepped up negotiations to seal a possible move in the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Los Blancos believe that the Argentina international’s addition would add a lot of value to their squad as he brings a lot of experience to the table.

Indeed, with Pepe set to depart from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer window, Zinedine Zidane will have Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho as his central defensive options. The Real Madrid boss is, thus, eager to recruit an experienced centre-back, and Otamendi fits the description.

Otamendi’s agent has previously confirmed that the player would be open to a move to Real Madrid, and it looks like the move can see the light of the day if Los Blancos shell out €30 million. It now remains to be seen if the player gets his wish to put on the white of Real Madrid next season.

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