Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is prepared to use his time with the Argentina national team to urge Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi to join him at Old Trafford next season.
Rojo and Otamendi were both named to manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s 23-man squad which will take part in the Copa America.
Argentina are currently preparing for their friendly versus Bolivia on June 6, before they open the South American tournament against Paraguay the following week (June 13).
Earlier today, Rojo ‘favorited’ a tweet asking him to tell Otamendi to “finish up his deal with Manchester United quickly”.
Otamendi has been strongly linked with a move to United in recent weeks. Rumors of a potential transfer went into overdrive after the player’s agent publicly stated that the Argentine was ready to force a move away from Valencia this summer.
During an interview with Cadena SER, Eugenio Lopez said his client wanted to leave Valencia in order to join a top club next season. The agent went on to say that despite contrary comments made by Salvo earlier this year, Otamendi had informed the club president that he wanted to leave the La Liga side.
“Nico wants to leave Valencia and is going to do everything possible to achieve it,” the player’s agent told Cadena SER.
“Nicolas told [executive president] Amadeo Salvo to his face two months ago, it surprises me that it is said that [sporting director] Rufete knew nothing. Or he lied or there is a lack of communication.”
Otamendi is under contract until June 2019, and Valencia are keen for the Argentine to remain a part of owner Peter Lim’s long term plans.
However, it appears Otamendi is preparing to follow in the footsteps of former Valencia players Roberto Soldado and Jeremy Mathieu, who both made public statements about the club before ultimately joining Tottenham and Barcelona, respectively.
Valencia president Amadeo Salvo responded to comments made by the player’s agent saying if Otamendi wants to leave the club he should formally request a transfer.
Salvo also went on to say that any club interested in buying the defender must be ready to pay his £36 million release clause.
Should Marcos Rojo ultimately play a role in expediting Otamendi’s move to United, it wouldn’t be the first time the young Argentine has helped his new club recruit a player to Old Trafford.
Shortly after signing for United, Rojo made contact with Angel di Maria while the winger was still signed for Real Madrid.
The defender and Di Maria share a friendship which extends to each other’s family and it’s believed that relationship played a role in the winger’s decision to ultimately join United.
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