Topics: La Liga, Valencia, Nicolas Otamendi, English Premier League, Manchester United, Manchester City
The Argentinean center back asked his coach Nuno Espiritu Santo to leave him out of the Champions League qualifier, since he is expecting to complete a deal soon.

Nicolas Otamendi may have gotten one step closer to signing a deal with a Premier League side. After a number of rumors that placed him with Manchester United, the Argentinean center back is set to join Manchester City on a five-year deal, as Valencia coach Nuno Espiritu Santo agreed to drop him from the Champions League play-off squad. According to the Portuguese manager, Otamendi spoke to him about the possibility of being dropped out, since playing the game with Valencia could prevent him of striking a multi-million deal. 

"Once everything is resolved, we will make decisions and the club will announce everything. For a few days now we have prepared without the option of using Otamendi. This game is crucial for us," the coach stated.

Even though Otamendi was closer to join Manchester United during a certain point of the transfer window, a debt between Valencia and Manchester City over striker Alvaro Negredo may have shifted things to favor the Citizens. In fact, Los Naranjeros made the Argentine available since they still owe the Sky Blues most of the 30 million euros they were supposed to pay for Negredo's services.

Otamendi has played 25 games with the Argentinean National team, becoming a key player in Gerardo Martino's defense. Last season, the former Porto defender scored 6 goals in 25 games. With a rumored 45 million euro deal reached, Otamendi would become the most expensive Argentinean defender in history, surpassing the record fee paid by Real Madrid to sign Walter Samuel.

Some fans are already celebrating Otamendi's signing with the Citizens.