After sealing the deal for Nathan Aké, Manchester City are now looking to offload Nicolás Otamendi, who could now reportedly go for as low as £8 million.
Manchester City have been clear with their intent to freshen up the backline this summer, and as players are brought in, some of the old guard such as John Stones and Nicolás Otamendi seem natural exits. The Argentinian was subject of a transfer saga last summer with a return to Valencia falling through, but Los Che are back again, and City are willing to send him back to Spain on a cut-price deal.
Otamendi’s time in Manchester has had its ups and downs to say the least, but now seems like the right time for all parties involved to move on. The fee is discouraging to say the least, however, as even though he has not been up to his best this season, Otamendi in my view is still a £15 million defender for any top-half La Liga club. Real Betis had also expressed interest earlier this summer, but now momentum is seemingly trending toward a return to the Mestalla.
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Prior to the arrival of Aymeric Laporte, Otamendi was a crucial piece of Pep Guardiola’s defense, and the highlight of his career in Manchester was undoubtedly during the centurion season of 2017-18, where he was at his very best in a record-breaking season for City. Nevertheless, younger players such as Tosin Adarabioyo and Taylor Harwood-Bellis should now be given a chance, and cutting Otamendi’s wages from the books should help City both promote young talent and make room for a big-name signing.
Should Otamendi leave this summer, his legacy in sky blue will be mixed, and although he did not quite live up to his price tag, he was a solid defender for several years. City will be grateful for his time served at the club, but in this case there appears to be a mutual understanding that now is the time to move on.