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Manchester United have had a €35m bid for Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi rejected, according to prominent Spanish journalist Guillem Balague.

The Reds are known to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, with Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels expected to be targeted in the summer.

But January additions were thought to be unlikely after Louis van Gaal insisted he would find it difficult to improve his squad in the middle of the season.

“I don’t think that we shall be very active as not many players of a certain level are available,” said the Dutchman.

“I have said that when we buy a player he has to be better than the players that are playing now and that is a difficult job.”

However, Balague, a Sky Sports pundit and journalist for Spanish publication AS, has revealed that the Reds have made a sizeable bid for Otamendi.

The Argentine centre-half was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford during David Moyes' ill-fated reign thanks to his impressive performances for Porto.

His reputation has continued to grow following a summer move to Valencia, who remain on track for Champions League qualification this season.