Jason Denayer could leave Manchester City on loan if they sign Nicolas Otamendi, according to his agent.
The Belgian centre-back signed a new five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium in the summer and, his agent Jason De Preter said, was told earlier this month that he would be staying at the club this season.
Denayer was "promised" he would be one of four centre-backs in Manuel Pellegrini's squad, along with captain Vincent Kompany, the manager's long-term ally Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala.
But now City seem to be closing in on Valencia defender Otamendi, whose agent Jorge Mendes appeared to be pictured in Manchester, the situation has changed.
Jorge Mendes is in Manchester. And some think Otamendi is, too... http://t.co/ot2Xj00xMF #mcfc pic.twitter.com/5yeAQ1nB71
- Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) August 18, 2015
Sources told ESPN FC on Monday that Mangala, who has excelled in City's first two league games, would not be leaving the club on loan.
"He was not in the selection against Chelsea but that was no surprise to us," De Preter told reporters in Belgium, with Denayer having not made the matchday 18 on Sunday.
"But if City gets a defender, that's it. They had promised us that no more defenders of that calibre would come. That does worry me."
Denayer spent last season on loan at Celtic, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award in Scotland.
And his agent said he has an agreement that the 20-year-old will get some first-team football this season, whether it is at the Etihad Stadium or elsewhere.
"For now, we do not panic," added De Preter. "Two weeks ago City wanted him absolutely not let go. That would still say they believe in him. But this should not take too long.
"If he is to sit on the bench or in the stands, he leaves. That's an agreement we have with the club. He has to play, also with a view to the national team. But I repeat, that is not yet on the agenda. Jason also remains calm."