According to reports from Mirror Football this morning, Manchester City are hoping to muscle in on Manchester United’s pursuits of defenders Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi.
The Red Devils are desperate to land a high-quality centre-half this summer and the La Liga duo have emerged as their predominant targets.
They’ve already seen a £32million bid rejected for Ramos and allegedly agreed personal terms with the 2010 World Cup winner, although Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has once again insisted he won’t be allowed to leave the Bernabeu this summer.
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Otamendi seems somewhat more available. The Argentina international has informed Valencia that he doesn’t intend to return to pre-season training and his contract includes a £35million release clause – which United have thus far been reluctant to meet.
But according to Mirror Football, the noisy neighbours are planning to contest the Old Trafford outfit for the signatures of both defenders.
Their current options at centre-back are captain Vincent Kompany, ageing veteran Martin Demichelis and £32million flop Eliaquim Mangala, and Etihad boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to add another before the start of next season.
In fairness, reports of City’s interest in both players have circulated for some time. They were linked to Ramos at the end of June and allegedly held a meeting with Otamendi’s agent Jorge Mendes last Saturday.
For several weeks, we hear about hijacking plot of City for United defender targets. What MU is doing during this period to foil such hijacking plot? We have already seen the hijacking of Clyne, Firminho, Benteke by L’Pool from United which could not be prevented by United. Now City is trying. I’m sure that City never be able to sign Ramos for they require another De Gea.
United fans are really disappointed with United bosses for their very casual approach particularly in case of Otamendi when they are spending so much money for new recruits. If Otamendi stays back in La Liga, I don’t mind but not to see him playing for City.
Agreed.. for me, getting otamendi is a priority..if we get him then we have a better chance of winning the league.. and we shd focus getting otamendi than ramos.. especially when he is younger, statistically better than ramos, and cheaper.. ramos is a defender in an attacking minded team.. may be that suits him to real, and their league.. but in the premier league you cant play attacking all the time.. when you have to defend, you have to defend well.. tackles, intercept, clearances, winning aerial duels..getting the odd goag once in a while.. and stats say otamendi is better in those areas… please go for otamendi..and soon!
man utd coach seem to be gambling with his future and integrity of the club by letting other subordinate clubs highjacking their target. man utd need central defender like otamendi and need proven striker to partner Rooney but by all indication LVG is not serious about it