Valencia trying 'everything possible' to keep star defender Otamendi

Valencia are doing "everything possible" to keep Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi at the club, according to Mario Kempes.

United are determined to sign a new center-back before the end of the transfer window and have continually been linked with Otamendi having failed to land Sergio Ramos.

Ramos' failure to agree a new contract with Real Madrid has led to fresh speculation that the 29-year-old could yet move to Old Trafford this summer, but Otamendi, who has also been linked with Manchester City, has long been viewed in most quarters as a more obtainable target.

Kempes, however, believes the Argentina international will stay at the Mestalla.

"I believe that Otamendi is going to stay," the Valencia legend told Superdeporte. "The club has told me they are doing everything possible for him to stay. That is important for the club and for him. Soon he will decide to stay."

Despite Kempes' confidence, he also accepts that a lucrative contract offer could turn Otamendi's head.

"[Otamendi] is a great center-half who had a very good season last year," he told radio show Al Primer Toque. "So it would be very sad to see him leave. And I believe he himself knows that. But football is like that, money controls things."