CITY GO FOR INIGO AFTER OTA ADD-ON
MANCHESTER CITY will step up their chase for a new centre-back despite Nicolas Otamendi signing a new deal yesterday.
Otamendi, 29, has been a revelation this season after a difficult start to his career in England.
He has appeared in all but one of City’s league games as they have built up a 12-point lead at the top of the table.
Otamendi’s deal had more than two years to run, having joined City on a five-year deal from Valencia in 2015.
City yesterday added two more seasons to that contract, but continue to hunt a new defender, with Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez and West Brom’s Jonny Evans on their list.
Boss Pep Guardiola wants to reinforce his back four and has all-but given up on injuryplagued club skipper ® Vincent Kompany returning to regular action. Otamendi said: “I’ve enjoyed my time at City since the first day I arrived and I’m really happy to have extended my stay here by a couple more years.
“My only aim is to help the team and give all I can for this club.
“I am learning every day under Pep and enjoying my football and I feel I can still improve as a player.
“I’m a family man who enjoys being at home and I love living in Manchester, you sort of get hooked by it. It’s a very beautiful city and I’m very happy here.”
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Fred is also wanted by City as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho although any move is likely to happen in the summer.