Nicolas Otamendi urged to ignore Man United interest

Paco Alcacer has urged Nicolas Otamendi to ignore the speculation linking the defender with a transfer to Manchester United and stay at Valencia beyond the summer transfer window.

Otamendi has been heavily linked with a transfer to the Red Devils in recent weeks as Louis van Gaal looks to bolster his defensive options ahead of his second season in charge at Old Trafford.

The Argentina international is thought to be a serious transfer target for United ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, especially as the Red Devils appear set to miss out on their top defensive target Sergio Ramos.

However, Otamendi’s team-mate Alcacer has urged the defender to ignore the admiring glances from England and commit his future to the Spanish side.

“Nico is an important player and I’d love him to stay. He’s a key element for Valencia,” Alcacer is quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

“If I said I did not want Otamendi to stay then I’d be lying.”

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The central defender, who was on international duty with Argentina at the Copa America earlier this month, scored six goals in 35 La Liga appearances for Valencia last season.