Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Nicolas Otamendi, Kevin De Bruyne Rumours

Manchester City are looking to swoop for Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, a long-rumoured target of neighbours and Premier League rivals Manchester United.  

The Sky Blues are aiming to strengthen their central defence and are reportedly "big admirers of [the] £35 million-rated Argentina international," per the Daily Mirror's Darren Lewis.

Otamendi has certainly proven himself to be one of the best centre-backs around at the moment, and he made La Liga's Team of the Year for the 2014-15 season, per the MailOnline's Adam Skinner.

His physicality, experience, cool head and penchant for scoring key goals would be most welcome in the City defence. Vincent Kompany was poor last season while £42 million signing Eliaquim Mangala in no way justified his huge transfer fee, per ESPN FC's Richard Jolly.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe believes City will drop off this season unless they sign someone like Otamendi to strengthen their defence:

Although the 27-year-old will likely cost all of his £35 million release clause, he would be a terrific addition for City, who can definitely afford him.

Furthermore, Sky Blues manager Manuel Pellegrini is unlikely to face competition from United for the Argentinian's signature, as they are not interested in him, per the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst.

However, per Lewis, there will be no move for Otamendi until City have tied up the signing of Wolfsburg forward Kevin De Bruyne.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Another player who will not come cheap, City have supposedly tabled a £47 million bid for the Belgian, and they are prepared to offer him a six-year deal worth over £200,000 per week, per Lewis.

That is serious money and will surely be tempting to Wolfsburg despite the former Chelsea man's stunning contribution last season as they finished second in the Bundesliga—he netted 10 goals and provided 20 assists, per WhoScored.com.

However, previous reports had indicated the 24-year-old De Bruyne is valued at £50 million by Wolfsburg, and thus, City may yet have to up their offer, per the Daily Mirror's David Maddock.

City started the new Premier League season with a convincing 3-0 away defeat of West Bromwich Albion on Monday as they look to claim back the title they lost to Chelsea in 2014-15.

Adding De Bruyne in attack—alongside Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Raheem Sterling—and Otamendi to bolster the defence would surely make them favourites for the title.

The duo will cost them a significant amount, but it would likely be worth it given the immense and proven quality of both players.