Rumour: Manchester United plotting bids for Nicolas Otamendi and Lucas Biglia
Manchester United are reportedly preparing a fresh bid for Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi and Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia, according to The Metro. The report further states that the 13-time Premier League champions will step up their pursuit of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
With United missing out on Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, they have turned their attention to another long-term target in Otamendi. They have been keeping tabs on the Argentine defender for quite some time and it was reported in January that Valencia had rejected a £27-million bid from an unnamed club for the 27-year-old.
That club was widely believed to be United and they have continued their pursuit whole summer with Otamendi making clear his intentions in June.
"Every work my agent says is with my authorisation," confirmed the defender, when asked on his agent's statement that he wanted to leave Valencia. "I have spoken to the club president, (Salvo), he knows what I want to do. Now I am going to leave everything that has to happen in the hands of my agent," said Otamendi.
The Metro now claims that United will make an offer in the region of £35 million for Otamendi. Squawka reported that United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted at a move for the Argentine international.
Van Gaal said, as per the Manchester Evening News: “We have three (right-sided) centre backs, we have Smalling, Jones and McNair but if he is much better than them then it is possible. We go for the best players and it has to be possible.”
United target Lucas Biglia hints at leaving Lazio
According to The Metro, United are looking at adding Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia to their ranks and will bid £17.6m for the 29-year-old who was recently made club captain. He has three years left on his contract with the Serie A outfit but hinted at a possible move away from Stadio Olimpico.
“Will I definitely stay now that I have the armband? I don’t know,” Biglia said, according to The Metro. “The truth is that it doesn’t depend on me. For now, though, I’m thinking only of the game tomorrow.”
United could prepare a fresh bid for Jan Oblak
United will also reportedly step up their pursuit of Jan Oblak after reports emerged yesterday that Atletico Madrid had rejected a £25m bid for the young custodian. David de Gea was dropped by Van Gaal from the United squad that took on Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League opener on Saturday and it looks like they are heading back to Madrid in search of their first choice keeper yet again.
"Of course we have problems still with the goalkeeper," Van Gaal said according to The Metro.
Sergio Romero made his debut for United against Spurs, but it is understood that Van Gaal doesn't see the Argentine international as United's first-choice. Oblak was signed by Atletico in the summer of 2014 and forced his way into Diego Simeone's team and his performances have certainly grabbed the attention of United.