Manchester United Transfer News: Huge Ander Herrera and Nicolas Otamendi Rumours

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera is reportedly being targeted by a pair of La Liga clubs following the Red Devils' recent purchases of central duo Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The 25-year-old only moved to Old Trafford from Atheltic Bilbao last summer, but according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb (h/t the Daily Star's Alex Harris), Atletico Madrid and Valencia are eyeing Herrera.

He had a successful maiden season in Manchester, proving an effective creative force while also netting six Premier League goals, per WhoScored.com.

Fresh Football's Oli Price-Bates suggests that, despite his strong opening season, United boss Louis van Gaal is not Herrera's biggest fan:

If that is true, and Valencia or Atleti come in with a sizeable bid for the Spaniard—he is contracted until 2018 at Old Trafford—perhaps it is possible that he may move on.

However, while Van Gaal has indeed brought in two new central midfielders, neither Schneiderlin nor Schweinsteiger can be seen as direct replacements for Herrera, as they are slightly deeper-lying players.

Indeed, the Guardian proposes a potential United XI that would include all three players in a strong-looking side:

Despite the strengthening effort from United so far in the transfer window, the Red Devils' central defence still looks weak.

However, the Old Trafford outfit may be on the verge of finally adding to the back line, with United apparently on the verge of signing Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi, with Chelsea having pulled out of the race for the Argentinian, per Metro's Jamie Sanderson.

United have been pursuing the 27-year-old for some time now and have been told they must meet Otamendi's £35 million release clause if they are to prise him away from Los Che, per David McDonnell in the Mirror.

That is a lot of money for a defender, but Otamendi is a combative and consistent performer who had an excellent season in La Liga in 2014-15, per Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

With United seemingly his only remaining suitors, the Red Devils should move now to bring in Otamendi as soon as possible.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are still an inconsistent presence in the centre of defence, but the addition of the Nemanja Vidic-esque Otamendi could make United a much more difficult proposition to break down.

They have spent plenty of money in recent times, but one last outlay on Otamendi—and perhaps a new striker—could see them compete once again for the Premier League in 2015-16.