Transfer News: Man Utd Close-In On Defender | Chelsea To Hijack £15m Striker Deal

With the summer transfer window finally open for business, managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads ahead of next season so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Man Utd look to be closing in on the signing of Nicolas Otamendi while Chelsea are eyeing a late move for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Otamendi boost

First up and the Express are one of several newspapers who are reporting that Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Nicolas Otamendi after he was surprisingly left out of Valencia’s new kit launch.

Otamendi has been strongly linked with a move to United in recent weeks and the Metro reported earlier this week that the defender’s agent had flown out to try and push through a potential £36m move to Old Trafford.

Nothing official has been announced by any party as yet but the Express claim that Valencia have dropped a huge hint that Otamendi is on his way out the club after leaving him out of their new kit launch promotional material.

The newspaper also says that the Argentinean international doesn’t want to return to pre-season training with the Spanish club – which starts on 26 July – and wants his move to United wrapped-up quickly.

Louis van Gaal could do with bringing in another top class central defender and Otamendi would certainly fit the bill as he’s been outstanding since moving to Valencia from Porto 18 months ago.

We’ll have to see how things develop over the coming days but you’d expect things to be resolved one way or the other by the end of the month when Valencia return to pre-season training.

I have a feeling we’ll end up seeing Otamendi heading for Old Trafford and I think he’ll prove to be a superb addition as he has all the attributes needed to be a success here in the Premier League.

Chelsea eye Mitrovic

Next up and the Daily Star claim that Chelsea are ready to hijack Newcastle’s move for £15m-rated Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Jose Mourinho has been fairly quiet in the transfer market so far with only two new faces arriving at Stamford Bridge but it looks as though he could be set to bring in another addition.

Mitrovic has been strongly linked with a move to England recently with talkSPORT reporting only this morning that Newcastle were closing in on a deal and the striker was due to arrive on Tyneside to thrash out a move.

However, there could be a late twist in the tail as the Daily Star suggest that Chelsea are now ready to hijack that proposed transfer and try to lure the £15m-rated forward to Stamford Bridge instead.

The newspaper claims that the Blues have watched the 20-year-old for some time and Mourinho has decided to make his move as he wants to bring the young Serbian international in as a potential replacement for Loic Remy – who’s been linked with a move away this summer.

Mitrovic is an exciting young striker who scored 23 goals for Anderlecht last season and he certainly has a bright future ahead of him, but we’ll have to wait and see whether Chelsea are successful in derailing Newcastle’s deal.

I personally think the youngster may be better off joining someone like Newcastle as he’d get far more first team football than if he was to join the Premier League champions. Chelsea already have Diego Costa as their first choice striker and Radamel Falcao has joined on loan, so Mitrovic would find regular action hard to come by.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

He needs game-time and for that reason I’d rather see him snub Chelsea’s advances and complete his proposed switch to St James Park. However, I appreciate that won’t be easy for the youngster to do and the reality is he probably would rather move to West London if the Blues come calling.