Vélez Sarsfield ‘to move for’ Nicolás Otamendi amid River Plate interest

In partnership with

OffsAIde

·29 April 2026

Vélez Sarsfield ‘to move for’ Nicolás Otamendi amid River Plate interest

Vélez Sarsfield have been linked with a move for Benfica captain Nicolás Otamendi for next season as his contract nears its end, with River Plate said to hold the edge. The Buenos Aires club are domestic rivals of River Plate.

O Jogo reports that the Argentina international, who will step away from the national team after the World Cup, has yet to decide his next move.

OneFootball Videos

Benfica are not minded to wait for a verdict and have begun exploring centre-back options. Among the candidates under review, the profile of Viery is viewed positively.

This season Otamendi has played 47 competitive matches for Benfica, 28 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 14 in the Champions League, two in the Taça de Portugal, two in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça.

Across 4,169 minutes on the pitch he has scored three goals. He is valued at 1 million euros.

Source: Glorioso 1904