With Barcelona lurking, Benfica know what to do with Nicolás Otamendi | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi is set to renew. According to reports, both Rui Costa and José Mourinho are in agreement regarding the next step to take concerning the future of the Benfica captain. With Barcelona interested in signing him, the Eagles want to secure the continuity of the Argentine, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

As reported by the newspaper A Bola this Friday, December 26, José Mourinho’s desire to count on the veteran footballer was already quite evident before the news emerged that placed Otamendi on a list of potential defensive reinforcements for Barcelona, who are looking for a solution after the serious injury to Andreas Christensen.

The rumor was advanced by the Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo, which put the number 30 on its front page. However, the same publication acknowledged that it will be very difficult to take the Argentine away from Benfica, as he is one of the undisputed members of the squad. It is more than certain that the Eagles will not give up Otamendi so easily.

Thus, according to A Bola, Benfica’s intention is to renew with the 37-year-old center-back. However, the same source states that the world champion with the Argentina national team still does not know what direction he will take in his career for the 2026/27 season. It is worth recalling that Otamendi extended his contract with the Eagles after his previous deal ended, while he was representing the Sacred Mantle at the Club World Cup, which took place last summer.

In the 2025/26 season, wearing Benfica’s shirt, Nicolás Otamendi – valued at 1 million euros – has played 28 matches: 14 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 10 in the Champions League, two in the Portuguese Cup, one in the League Cup, and another in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. In the 2,520 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the center-back has scored two goals.

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