Manchester United launch €15m bid for Otamendi

• Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Manchester United have lodged a €15 million bid for Porto’s central defender Nicolas Otamendi.

While the Portuguese club consider the Argentina international as a more expendable asset than his defensive partner Eliquiam Mangala, they have yet to take a decision on whether to sell.

An aggressive though not especially quick defender, Otamendi has been at Porto since 2010, playing a part in Andre Villas-Boas’ famous treble-winning team in his first season at the club.

The 25-year-old has made 16 full international appearances for his country, but has fallen out of favour since Alejandro Sabella’s arrival as Argentina coach.

Otamendi’s potential recruitment forms part of David Moyes’ plan to add five individuals at their peak of their playing careers to the club-record capture of Juan Mata.

United’s new boss has sought to attribute blame for the club’s debilitating season to the Premier League-winning squad he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson and has been granted unprecedented financial backing to overhaul it.

However, United’s bid for Otamendi has been complicated by Manchester City’s attempt to recruit Mangala.

Convinced they can achieve the full €50m buyout in the France international’s contract, Porto have so far refused to negotiate a fee for Mangala, who they intend to retain for the season.

If City were to trigger that release clause, however, his sale would seriously damage Paulo Fonseca’s attempt to retain the Portuguese title.

By Duncan Castles