It might be the business end of the Copa América but the tussle for the signature of Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi shows no signs of waning. Manchester United’s interest has been long-standing but such an outstanding season with Valencia, Louis van Gaal’s side have been joined by Real Madrid and now it appears, neighbours, Manchester City.

The 27-year-old centre-back has made no secret of his desire to move away from Valencia this summer despite helping Los Che back into the Champions League but as of yet has not explicitly stated where he sees his future lying. When asked on the subject, Otamendi told reporters: “I spoke with Valencia and they know very well what I want.” 

The assumption at the time was that this was referring to a move to Old Trafford after it was reported that United had made a bid of around €35 million. However, Valencia have maintained that they will only sell their prized asset if the €50 milion buyout clause in his contract is met and so no deal has been struck as of yet.

With Otamendi currently impressing in Chile with Argentina at the Copa América displaying his typically powerful, no-nonsense brand of defending, other interested parties are now circling. Real Madrid were the first to rival United after it was claimed that new manager Rafael Benitez has earmarked the former Vélez player to help the side wrestle back the league title from Barcelona. Money is rarely an issue for Real but they are certainly not short of central defenders and so unless one of Sergio Ramos, Pepe or Raphael Varane are leaving the Bernabéu it is difficult to see how they keep all of them happy.

However, the latest reports suggest that Manchester City are now entering negotiations and spanish sports website, Superdeportes has even claimed that Manuel Pellegrini has met with Otamendi whilst in Chile to discuss a potential move to the Etihad. Like Madrid, City are desperate to win back the league title and struggled defensively at times last season. Vincent Kompany was not at his best, Martín Demechelis is nearing the end of his career and Eliaquim Mangala has not really worked out. If Pellegrini was on the lookout for a defender who appears built for the Premier League then he would be hard pushed to find one better than Otamendi.

With ten days remaining of the Copa América, Otamendi might be preoccupied for the next week or so but this is a transfer saga that can expect to roll on further into the window.