Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Valencia's highly rated centre back Nicolas Otamendi, with the Spanish club rejecting a reported bid of £27million.
The Red Devils have been looking to strengthen their much maligned defence, targeting the La Liga defender as they push to complete a January transfer for the player.
United have been previously linked with the 26-year-old who moved from Portuguese side FC Porto to Valencia in February of last year, although Otamendi was loaned out to Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro and didn't make his La Liga debut until August, in a 1-1 away draw with Europa League Champions Sevilla.
Reports today in the Express suggest that United submitted a big money bid for the Argentine international after failing to lure Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels to Old Trafford.
Valencia currently sit 5th in La Liga and have been linked with Ligue 1 defender Doria as a direct replacement for Otamendi. But the club are holding out for more money, with £27million unlikely to leave them with much of a profit if they can secure Doria from Marseille.
Manchester United now have a decision to make, do they up their bid to secure the centre-back, or do they cut their losses and turn their attention to someone else.
Source: DSG
