Nuno Santo has refused to confirm whether Nicolas Otamendi will remain a Valencia player next season, other than he “is fully integrated with the team”.
The Argentine defender has long been linked with a big-money transfer to Manchester United, who are understood to be on the lookout for centre-back reinforcements, but the Coach declined to comment on the speculation – or deny it.
“I think [Nicolas] has worked hard and took care of himself during his holiday after Copa America,” he said at a Press conference ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Porto in Germany.
“He has been very faithful to his work and is fully integrated with the team.
“All the players who are here are focused on the team. It’s as simple as that.
“We’ll prepare as well as possible for the Champions League playoffs and achieve our ultimate objective, to mix with the best teams in Europe. All the players are committed to that objective.
“Valencia are prepared and know that every player is on the market, but we also know that everyone here will fight until the death [for the cause].”
Nuno then added Alvaro Negredo “remains a very important player” for Valencia and that the new-look board would serve the club well.
“[Alvaro Negredo] remains a very important player,” he continued.
“It’s a great achievement that we have the benefit of continuity of the players from last season, which will allow us to improve.
“We all have improved and want to improve further for the sake of the squad.
“We’re aware that the market is open if we spot something. It’s difficult to make more signings, but it must only be a player who’s an improvement on what we already have.
"We have an owner [Peter Lim], a woman President [Lay Hoon Chan] and Coach, and we’re here to help and improve the team. All the club’s decisions are taken together.”
