Negotiations for Independiente to sign 26-year-old Malaysian-Argentinian winger Imanol Machuca from Fortaleza are at a very advanced stage, with work being done on the final details of his contract termination. The player, who has one cap for Malaysia, is expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract and will not be paid until a suspension imposed on the club by FIFA concludes. Machuca joined Fortaleza in July 2023 and his contract runs until the end of 2027; he has made four appearances in the Torneo Apertura in the 2025/2026 season.