Manchester United Transfer News: Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Otamendi Rumours

Lyon goal machine Alexandre Lacazette could reportedly be set to leave Ligue 1 for Manchester United in the summer as he is unhappy with his current contract at the Stade de Gerland.   

According to French outlet L'Equipe (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), the striker has long been dissatisfied with his current terms at Lyon, and he will depart the club if he is not offered an improved contract: "It is understood the striker won't commit his future to Lyon under the terms of his current contract and that the club may struggle to increase the deal if he demands it."

This is terrific news for United, who have been linked with a €30 million (£21.7 million) move for the 23-year-old in the past, per Le10 Sport (via Sport Witness):

Lacazette has had a stunning season in Ligue 1, scoring 27 goals in 33 appearances, per WhoScored.com. 

He is obviously not proven in the Premier League, but numbers like that cannot go unnoticed, and he would surely only improve with greater experience under the tutelage of Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe suggests that Van Gaal should have gone in for Lacazette last summer as a far better alternative to Radamel Falcao:

With Falcao set to return to Monaco after a disastrous loan spell and Robin van Persie perhaps on the way out the Old Trafford door, per the Daily Mirror, United need new men in attack.

Lacazette would be the ideal signing, and he is clearly a genuine potential target, recently failing to commit his future to Lyon, per Short: "I do not know. We will see later in the season."

He is young, confident, a fantastic goalscorer and could prove the perfect partner for Wayne Rooney as United look to take on the Premier League and the Champions League next term.

Otamendi Move Looking Increasingly Likely

United do not only need reinforcements in attack but also in defence, and Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi is looking an increasingly realistic target.

According to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, the Argentinian defender dreams of a move to the Premier League:

Otamendi has been on the Red Devils' radar for some time now, per Short, and he would certainly be a confidence-making presence in an often vulnerable United defence.

Jack Wilson of the Daily Star reports that he has a £37 million release clause in his contract.

David Ramos/Getty Images

If United are prepared to activate such a clause, and Otamendi is eager to depart, Valencia would have no option but to let him go.

The Old Trafford outfit spent big last summer, and he will surely do so again as they look to challenge once again for the Premier League title.

Lacazette and Otamendi could potentially cost a combined £58 million, but they are both fantastic players who would surely improve United massively.