Pep Guardiola has a new worry to deal with as one of his Manchester City stars is set to leave the club. Nicolas Otamendi, who was very instrumental in winning the Premier League title last season will leave Manchester City this summer after four years at the Etihad, report the Star.
The Argentinean has won three FA Cups and the aforementioned 2017/18 Premier League with City but is set to leave when his current deal expires. Apparently, this development has been brought to the attention of Premier League sides West Ham and Wolves who are both interested in signing the 31-year-old defender.
The former Valencia man has been out of Pep Guardiola’s first-team this season and especially more recently since the club captain, Vincent Kompany from injury. Otamendi scored some crucial goals last season from set-pieces but has been kept out of the team this season due to the form of Vincent Kompany, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones.
The defender seems to have had enough and it appears Otamendi’s time at the Etihad is over. According to the Argentinian version of Marca, the player wants out of City as he is looking for more first-team game time. Otamendi wants to make sure he is still playing regularly so that he retains his place in the Argentinian national team.
Marca claim the 31-year-old will not be short of options in the coming months with Premier League sides West Ham and Wolves are named as two potential suitors. River Plate are also mentioned, due to the fact Otamendi has supported the Buenos Aires side since he was a child.
However, a move back to his native Argentina looks out of the question due to the funds it would require and because of the fact the centre-back wants to stay in Europe. Wolves are expected to be busy this summer, strengthening once again following their successful debut season in the top flight.
West Ham have also faired well this term but did bring in Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop in defence last summer. City kept themselves firmly in the Premier League driving seat this afternoon, beating Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor. Guardiola’s side were starting to feel the nerves after a goalless first-half before Sergio Aguero’s effort narrowly crept over the goal-line after the interval.
The win means City return to the top of the Premier League and sit one point clear of Liverpool with two games remaining. Jurgen Klopp’s men must travel to Newcastle before taking on Wolves in the final match of the campaign. City, meanwhile, have to take on Leicester and Brighton.
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