Rufete: 'Nicolas Otamendi wants to stay'

Valencia sporting director Rufete has insisted that Nicolas Otamendi has not asked to leave Los Che.

The Argentine joined Valencia from Porto last summer and has been one of the standout centre-backs in La Liga this season.

Manchester United are said to be preparing a big-money move for the 27-year-old, but Rufete is confident that his club can fight off the interest.

"We want him to be here for a long time. It is a privilege because there are clubs that come to see our players. Nobody has said that Otamendi wants to go because he has not said it. He is a very important player and he has shown that he is a high level [player]," Rufete is quoted as saying by AS.

Otamendi has a contract at Valencia until 2019.