Valencia are shopping for a replacement for Nicolas Otamendi.

Otamendi is expected to sign for Manchester City for a fee of €45 million plus bonuses, leaving Los Che with the need of finding a replacement centre-half.

AS says Zenit St Petersburg defender Ezequiel Garay is Valencia's first-choice.

Valencia will step up talks with Zenit after victory in the first-leg of their Champions League qualifier against Monaco.

Los Che midfielder Enzo Perez, meanwhile, defended Otamendi and said: "Why do they say he has not helped? With all that Nico did last year, he did not help?

"With all that he has given us and Valencia, I think he has helped."