Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Nicolas Otamendi, David De Gea Rumours
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is "desperate" to sign Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia amid speculation the Red Devils have "stepped up" their attempts to capture the Argentinian defender.
Spanish newspaper AS (h/t Simon Osborn of Metro) reports that "further transfer talks are expected after the player takes a short holiday." Otamendi has only just returned to Spain after losing the Copa America final with Argentina and remains an important target for Van Gaal, per Osborn.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a fantastic season for Valencia, playing a key role in the side's qualification for the Champions League. He's a ruthless competitor and the kind of player who loves to meet the opposition head on. Van Gaal needs to find a top-class partner for Chris Smalling, who is developing on a much quicker scale to Phil Jones, if United are to break into the top three.
Otamendi should be considered an improving and quality alternative to Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos, who continues to be linked with the club, per AS (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro). Both carry a goalscoring threat, hitting six and four, respectively, in La Liga last season.
United could to play tug-of-war with Madrid over Ramos and goalkeeper David De Gea, who has been ordered to forget moving to the Bernabeu by Van Gaal, as reported by David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror. The goalkeeper "has been told to put Real Madrid out of his mind and get ready to go on pre-season tour with Manchester United," according to the aforementioned report.
McDonnell suggests United will not sell the Spaniard for anything less than £35 million, which would amount to the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper. De Gea recently told reporters he is "very calm" over the situation, per McDonnell, who quotes the media in Madrid.
The goalkeeper's failure to sign a new contract provides United with all of the knowledge they need in this situation.
De Gea hasn't admitted he wants to stay at the club, instead opting to remain silent until an inevitable transfer is pushed through. McDonnell indicates United are OK with losing De Gea on a free next summer, meaning they will remain in a position of power.
B/R UK's Andy Brassell discussed potential transfers for United:
While Van Gaal will expect De Gea to remain professional, there's no point skirting around the elephant in the room.
United risk having an unsettled, and therefore unfocused, performer in goal if the player desperately wants to leave. De Gea is fit and in form—two factors which could change and scupper a potential switch to Madrid if he remains at Old Trafford for another season.
The coming days promise to be busy for Van Gaal and his staff. United head to the United States next week and will want to have most of the summer's business concluded ahead of the pre-season match schedule.
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