Reports from Spain are suggesting that Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Otamendi has been linked with a move to United all summer and with the new deal for Sergio Ramos all but officially confirmed, it seems as if Louis van Gaal has moved swiftly to acquire his second choice.
Spanish outlet SillasGol claim the ‘final details’ are being arranged for the transfer of the Argentina centre half.
The move would be a surprise considering Chris Smalling’s man of the match performance at the weekend but Van Gaal clearly feels that he needs more experience in his back line. Whether or not Otamendi would bring that is debatable – he has only made 159 league appearances and turns 28 in February. Smalling has made 101 appearances for United alone since his transfer in 2010, when he was brought to the club as back up for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Still, he had a hugely impressive 2014/15 season, being selected in the La Liga Team of the Year and this summer was named in the Copa America team of the tournament after a string of impressive performances.
