LONDON • Manchester City have yet to concede a goal this season but Manuel Pellegrini is set to strengthen his defence with the £28 million (S$62 million) signing of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi.

According to Spanish media, the 27-year-old centre-back has refused to train and has asked to be left out of Valencia's Champions League play-off squad that will face Monaco tomorrow in a bid to push the move through.

It is understood that the Argentina international has already said his farewells to his team-mates. But contrary to other reports, the deal will not involve defender Eliaquim Mangala moving in the opposite direction on loan.

Mangala has struggled at City since his club-record £42 million move last summer. But he started in both of City's 3-0 wins against West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea.

Otamendi was also linked with a move to Manchester United but Louis van Gaal is set to miss out on yet another central defender following Sergio Ramos' decision to stay at Real Madrid.

THE TIMES, LONDON