Man City sign Otamendi from under United’s noses for £31.7m
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Unlike rivals Manchester United, Coral’s 11/10 Premier League title favourites Man City have wasted no time in completing a deal for Argentina centre back Nicolas Otemendi, after they snapped up the star for a reported £31.7m fee on a five-year deal from under their neighbours’ noses from Valencia.
As if the Citizens’ start to the season couldn’t have gone well enough, after recording two 3-0 wins from their opening fixtures, including most recently against reigning champions Chelsea. They have now signed one of the most highly-rated defenders in Europe.
Otamendi said: “I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles.
“That’s the most important. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream.”
#mcfc are delighted to announce the signing of @Notamendi30
Full story: http://t.co/liMiPMjOae #WelcomeNicolas pic.twitter.com/1yrH3NYDmz
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) August 20, 2015
At the age of 27, Argentine quarter-centurion Otamendi is in the prime of his career having highly impressed for the Bats in his sole season for them after switching from Porto in 2013/14, spending a brief loan spell at Atletico Mineiro in-between.
What he lacks in height, relatively small for a centre back at 6ft, he certainly makes up for in ability, and Otamendi could be the perfect partner for current City captain Vincent Kompany.
In signing for the Etihad outfit, though, Otamendi looks set to replace compatriot Martin Demichelis in the starting XI, while he will also fight for a place with the likes of Eliaquim Mangala and young Belgian Jason Denayer.
The Buenos Aires-born player is also somewhat of a goalscoring defender, having twice netted six times in a season, for Porto and then Valencia last season.
Meanwhile, Otamendi joins the likes of other Argentines at City including Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero, Willy Caballero and Bruno Zuculini. There are also Spanish speakers such as Jesus Navas and David Silva, and fellow South Americans Fernando Reges and Fernandinho to keep him company.
