It is understood the 27-year-old Argentine asked to be excused from training this weekend and has said his farewells to his Valencia teammates.
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Otamendi, 27, a fierce tackler who is also strong in the air, is poised to join Manchester City for a fee of 45 million euros ($49.8 million), Spanish media reported on Tuesday.
“I hear United pulled out of the hunt for him as soon as they heard City were involved because they knew they couldn’t compete when it comes to paying the wages Otamendi will demand”.
Valencia have told Manchester City they want more money for Nicolas Otamendi’s proposed transfer to go through, according to Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
City paid £32million to sign Mangala from Porto 12 months ago, but he has so far failed to justify the hefty price tag.
Valencia CF center back Nicolás Otamendi had been the target of Louis van Gaal and Manchester United during the whole transfer window period, but latest reports were out that neighboring rival club Manchester City might overtake the Old Trafford giants in acquiring the services of the Argentina global.
Pellegrini also has veteran Martín Demichelis to call upon as a back-up option, but clearly feels that Otamendi has something to offer his Man City squad.
Otamendi’s agent Jorge Mendes was recently pictured in Manchester – believed to be finalizing the deal and now, even the defender has arrived in England to undergo a medical at City. He played 35 La Liga games for Valencia in 2014/15 – the most he’s ever managed in a single league campaign – to help the club to fourth place and a return to the Champions League.
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After a shaky first season, the Frenchman is starting to gain confidence at the back for his new club.
