Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi wants move finalised before 26 July

Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi wants his future resolved before he returns for pre-season training with Valencia on 26 July, according to Marca.

Otamendi, 27, is currently enjoying an extended break following Argentina's Copa America campaign in Chile.

The defender's club future remained under the spotlight throughout that competition after agent Eugenio Lopez claimed his client was desperate to leave Valencia and take the next step in his career.

"Two months ago Nicolas already told [former president] Amadeo Salvo he wants to leave Valencia this summer. If there's an offer from a club we consider a top club, and it benefits his family, Nico wants to go. There are many discussions with several clubs who want to sign Otamendi," Lopez told Cadena Ser in May.

Valencia-based newspaper Super Deporte believes that United are favourites to secure the Argentina international's signature, although his €50m (£35m, $39.5m) release clause has prevented any deal from being struck so far.

But in further efforts to force his way out, Marca now claims Otemendi is reluctant to return to first team training on 26 July, and is even keen to avoid returning to the city at all.

Those claims follow reports from Spanish daily AS last week, which claimed Otamendi's agent has stepped up his efforts to find his client a new club.

Another deadline that could affect Otamendi's future is 7 August, when Valencia play the first leg of their Champions League play-off round against an opponent yet to be decided.

United are expected to now focus on strengthening their defence after confirming the arrivals of midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. The duo completed their moves to Old Trafford days after the club confirmed the arrival of 25-year-old right-back Matteo Darmian from Torino.