Man United have pre-contract agreement with Nicolas Otamendi

Manchester United have a pre-contract agreement with Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, according to a report from the Argentine publication Olé.

It is understood that the two clubs have yet to agree a fee for the Argentine centre-back. However, that is likely a formality with United in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, and since the English club has been tracking the 27-year-old for quite some time.

According to the report, Otamendi would not join United until after the conclusion of the Copa America tournament in July.

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

However, on Monday, Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said sources close to Otamendi were saying the Argentine “dreams” 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 the center-back could be on his way to England in the coming weeks.

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.

The Argentine’s ownership is understood to involve the Doyen Sports Group, who also held a share in Marcos Rojo’s rights when the defender moved from Sporting Lisbon to United in August 2014.