Otamendi draws more interest, Benfica weigh up their options | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi is on Vasco da Gama's radar. According to reports, the Brasileirão club is considering signing the experienced captain of Benfica, who is about to enter the final six months of his contract with the Clube da Luz, with his deal set to expire at the end of the season.

As reported by Wallace Neguera, Vasco da Gama believes that the Argentine defender would be a great addition to the Carioca squad and, according to the same source, the club has already started negotiations with the player, aiming to sign him in 2026, when his contract with Benfica ends.

Despite his age, Otamendi is seen as a defender capable of playing at the highest level, as he has proven at Benfica and with the Argentine national team. With Vasco da Gama's interest, the Clube da Luz, led by Rui Costa, faces yet another headache regarding their captain, after Barcelona gave up on signing him.

As previously reported when rumors about the Catalan club emerged, José Mourinho is a great admirer of the veteran, who is highly respected in the locker room, and has already sent a request to the Benfica board to begin the process of renewing his contract, which expires in six months.

In the 2025/26 season, wearing Benfica’s shirt, Nicolás Otamendi – valued at 1 million euros – has played 29 matches: 14 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 11 in the Champions League, two in the Portuguese Cup, one in the League Cup, and another in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. In the 2,610 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the center-back has scored three goals.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.