Manchester City sign Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi in £31.7m deal

The 27-year-old was linked with a switch to City’s rivals Manchester United earlier in the summer, but has now penned a five-year deal at the Etihad.

[BEST TWEETS:

[TOP 10:

He becomes the second most expensive defender in British transfer history, just £300k short of the £32m City splashed out for Eliaquim Mangala last summer.

"I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles," Otamendi told the club's official website.

"That’s the most important. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream."

Otamendi is the third major arrival at the club this summer, joining recent recruits Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph.

He will contest a starting spot in the heart of the Citizens’ defence with Vincent Kompany, Mangala and Martin Demichelis.

"Otamendi was arguably the best defender in La Liga last season and so naturally I’m delighted to have added a player of his quality," City boss Manuel Pellegrini added.

"He is an established international for one of the best nations in world football and I have no doubt that he has the right mentality to fit into a squad where he will find many familiar faces, including Eliaquim and Fernando who he played alongside in Portugal.

"As a footballer, Nicolas has all of the qualities to be a success in the Premier League – he’s strong, he’s excellent in the tackle and he’s very good technically. I am sure he will become another Argentine player our fans will enjoy watching."

Otamendi was named in the Copa America Team of the Tournament as Argentina reached the final before bowing out on penalties to host nation Chile.

He will link-up with compatriots Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Demichelis in England.

City have made a flying start to the season and top the Premier League table after Sunday’s impressive 3-0 triumph over Chelsea.

Will Otamendi slot straight into the City defence? On last season’s evidence, there would be no debate. The backline was ailing, individual mistakes repeatedly leading to goals, as they finished a distant second to Chelsea in the Premier League.

But in 2015/16? Few conclusions can be drawn from two games, but the signs are that Mangala looks more assured and – aside from a reckless lunge on Diego Costa on Sunday – Kompany appears less prone to diving in. It’s a big decision for Pellegrini, but he might be best served popping Otamendi on the bench until City’s blistering start subsides.