Jorge Mendes back in Manchester to complete Otamendi transfer

Nicolas Otamendi's move to Manchester City appears to be moving ever closer after Jorge Mendes jetted into Manchester to broker the deal.

Superagent Mendes has flown in to finalise the agreement between City and Valencia in a move which could see the Argentine international move for virtually nothing.

Valencia owe City £23.8million because they promised to make Alvaro Negredo's loan move permanent this summer and have offered them Otamendi to settle the debt.

The 27-year-old central defender has a £35.5million buy-out clause in his contract, but it is understood Valencia will accept a lower fee for the wantaway Argentina centre-half.

However, they have knocked back Valencia's cheeky offer to let Mangala join them on a season-long loan.

Boss Manuel Pellegrini has big hopes for Mangala this season after his difficult debut campaign and sees the £32million signing as Vincent Kompany's partner at the heart of City's defence.

Valencia are prepared to offload Otamendi because the South American's agent Eugenio Lopez claims he wants to quit the Mestalla.

Manchester United had looked at Otamendi at the end of last season as they weighed up their various centre-half targets, but opted not to follow up that initial interest.