Another club in the mix! Otamendi leaves Benfica, snubs Vasco | OneFootball

Vasco continues its search for a top center-back for the squad, but has run into an emotional obstacle in negotiations for Nicolás Otamendi. The Argentine defender, now 38, has officially informed Benfica that he will not renew his contract and will become a free agent at the end of the European season. According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the player has already spoken with coach José Mourinho and expressed his desire to return to South American football to end his career in his home country.

Despite constant monitoring by the Vasco board, the defender’s preferred destination is already clear. The experienced center-back, a world champion in 2022, supports River Plate and plans to wear the Buenos Aires club’s shirt right after the 2026 World Cup. That personal preference makes any move by the Rio club more difficult, as it had hoped to attract the player with the SAF project and the competitiveness of Brazilian football in this transfer window.

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Otamendi prefers River Plate and cools talks with Vasco

Vasco’s interest in signing the defender is nothing new, having already expressed a desire to bring him in during the last transfer window. At the time, the Argentine’s leadership profile and physical strength were seen as ideal for correcting the flaws shown by Carlos Cuesta and Alan Saldivia. However, the Portuguese daily’s report reinforces that the center-back already has a verbal and emotional commitment to finish his professional career with the “Millonarios,” frustrating the immediate plans of Vasco’s hierarchy.

Even with the approval of Renato Gaúcho, who would not oppose the arrival of a player with Otamendi’s résumé, the current mood behind the scenes at Colina is one of pessimism. The coach recognizes the need for an enforcer to organize the defensive system, but understands that the player’s priority of joining his childhood club is a decisive factor. Vasco is keeping the player’s name on its watchlist, but has already begun evaluating other names in the South American market who are immediately available.

Otamendi’s career path and numbers

Nicolás Otamendi has enjoyed successful spells at major football hubs such as Manchester City and Porto before completing his sixth season at Benfica. In Brazil, the center-back had a brief stint with Atlético-MG in 2014, when he played 19 matches and scored 1 goal, leaving a good technical impression. Vasco saw that previous experience in the country as something that could ease his adaptation, but the player’s overriding desire to return to Argentina and play at the Monumental de Núñez prevails.

Planning to strengthen the defense remains the board’s top priority, as it understands the sector needs at least two new names. Vasco is now looking for players with a similar profile to the Argentine, focusing on athletes who can bring aerial security and physical presence in the box.

While Otamendi’s situation has not yet reached an official conclusion with a signed deal at River Plate, the club’s intelligence department continues to monitor it, even knowing the slim chances of success given the star’s personal desire.

Otamendi was a world champion with Argentina – Photo: Reproduction / Benfica Official Website

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