Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi wants to leave Valencia in order to join a “top” club next season, according to the player’s agent Eugenio Lopez.

The timing of Lopez’s comments are curious after reports surfaced last week that the defender had reached a pre-contract agreement with United.

The Argentine publication Olé stated that while the two clubs had yet to agree a fee for the centre-back, Otamendi would join the Premier League club after the conclusion of the Copa America in July.

Prior to that report, Valencia’s sporting director Francisco Rufete said the centre-back had not expressed an interest to leave the club.

However, last Monday, Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said sources close to Otamendi were saying the Argentine was dreaming of a Premier League move.

“On Otamendi. Sources close to the player say his dream is to go to the PL and [Manchester] United will continue trying to get him. Valencia pessimistic,” Balague tweeted earlier this week.

Otamendi is under contract until June 2019, but reportedly has a release clause of £36 million.

Valencia were keen to sit the Argentine down at the end of the season to hear his thoughts on the future, with the club eager for the top class defender to remain a part of owner Peter Lim’s long term plan.

However, it appears Otamendi is determined 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 earlier today.

“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.

“In these cases the will of the player is very important.”

Otamendi has long been linked with a switch to Manchester United. The English club had a bid for the defender rejected in January and it appears they have set the wheels in motion to sign the player quickly this summer.

United are expected to make an official bid for Otamendi this week.