River to move for Nicolás Otamendi next window: defender decided | OneFootball

With an eye on the contractual situation of the Argentina national team player, River will make an approach to learn more about the outlook.

Nicolás Otamendi’s affection for River Plate is well known. As a result, for quite some time now, every transfer window has brought up the possibility that the defender who became world champion with the Argentina national team in Qatar 2022 could return to Argentina and put on River’s shirt.

At present, with the 38-year-old veteran center back’s contract with Benfica nearing its end, hopes of signing him have resurfaced in Núñez. In fact, an approach to Otamendi and his camp has been planned in order to learn the conditions and also their stance regarding his future.

As a first step, Stefano Di Carlo, Eduardo Coudet and company will try to get precise information on whether Otamendi has any desire to return to Argentine football and, more specifically, to wear the River shirt. But the truth is that the outlook does not appear simple at all regarding a potential signing.

To begin with, it should be noted that Otamendi and his camp have already stated that River never, in any transfer window, made an approach to try to persuade him or to ask about conditions. In this way, all kinds of rumors about a formal proposal from River in any transfer window are denied.

On the other hand, it is no minor detail that, although Otamendi currently has only three months left on his contract in Portugal, he is practically decided on not returning to Argentina. His wish is, at least in the short term, to stay away from domestic football, which makes things very difficult for River.

Ultimately, a truly radical turn would have to take place for there to be any chance that the defender who came through Vélez Sarsfield’s youth ranks and also had spells at Porto, Atlético Mineiro, Valencia, and Manchester City changes his mind and gives the green light to become a River player after the World Cup.

Otamendi’s contract at Benfica

At present, Nicolás Otamendi is under contract with Benfica until June 30, 2026. That means there are only three months remaining on the center back’s current deal.

Nicolás Otamendi’s career

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