Nicolas Otamendi (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Manchester City are willing to sell Argentina star Nicolas Otamendi ahead of the new campaign.
The report suggests that the English outfit are ready to let him go for £8m, with clubs like Napoli and Valencia keen on the centre-back. Otamendi has been overlooked by the manager on several occasions and it is clear that his time at the Etihad seems to have come to an end.
Born in Argentina, Otamendi began his career with Velez Sarsfield’s youth system and made 51 appearances for the club’s senior set-up before joining FC Porto in August 2010. He went on to play for Atletico Mineiro on loan and then spent a year with Valencia before making a £34m move to Manchester City.
He was a regular member of the squad in his first two seasons in England but later fell down the pecking order. He was a part of the squad that won two league titles and four English league cup titles. But this season, he has seen limited game time despite Aymeric Laporte’s long absence.
One of the key reasons for Pep Guardiola’s side falling behind in the race for the league title this season is the lack of consistency in their backline. Laporte was set to lead their defence but the Frenchman fell victim to a major injury. He was out of action for several months.
John Stones and Otamendi were the two available centre-backs at the manager’s disposal but they have been inconsistent. They have failed to convince Guardiola for a spot in the starting XI. As a result, Fernandinho was asked to lead their defence but it didn’t work out too well in the end.
Thus, selling Otamendi would be the right choice by the club. City have already signed former Chelsea man Nathan Ake, who has been in good form despite Bournemouth’s relegation. The Dutchman has proved himself and would definitely start ahead of the Argentine.
Moreover, they also have Eric Garcia, who came through the youth ranks. The youngster has been brilliant whenever called upon. And the return of Laporte from injury also would make it impossible for Otamendi to claim his spot in the team.
And keep holding of the former Valencia man would also just make City waste their resources. Otamendi has featured in just 39 games across all competitions this season and has not been at his best. And moving forward, he doesn’t seem to have a future at the club.
With Laporte having returned to fitness and Ake arriving from Bournemouth, it would be difficult for Otamendi to move higher up the pecking order. He has struggled for form and consistency and keeping him would be surplus to the requirements of the team. Thus, City letting Otamendi leave would be a wise decision.
