Manchester City are close to sealing the €40m (Dh163m) signing of Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, with Eliaquim Mangala heading to the Mestalla on loan as part of the deal.
Multiple reports in Spain on Sunday night claimed Argentine Otamendi – who was the outstanding centre-back in La Liga last term – has been granted permission not to train with his Valencia teammates ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Monaco on Wednesday as he is mentally not in the right frame of mind.
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When asked about Otamendi following Sunday’s win over Chelsea, City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “I cannot confirm nothing and I don’t talk about rumours.”
Otamendi, 27, has a €50m (Dh204m) buyout clause in his contract but a seasonlong loan for Mangala has led to Valencia considering a reduced transfer fee.