TYC reports that Independiente has completed an agreement with Fortaleza for the transfer of Imanol Machuca, who is currently under a one-year suspension from FIFA for falsifying documents. Independiente has acquired 60% of Machuca's economic rights from the Brazilian club. The financial compensation to Fortaleza will be paid in delayed installments and is solely dependent on the player's participation in official matches. If a transfer occurs before Machuca plays 60 matches, Independiente will pay USD 300,000 to Fortaleza, and all remaining bonuses will be cancelled. The report adds that if a sale happens between matches 60 and 75, Independiente states there will be no legal obligation to pay any further fees to Fortaleza. From the time of signing until December 31, Imanol Machuca will receive the 'current minimum regulatory salary.' Independiente denies any unofficial information and affirms that these are the only real, legal, and approved conditions for the acquisition.

According to TYC, Imanol Machuca, whose last club was Vélez and whose registration rights belong to Fortaleza, is close to joining Independiente. Fortaleza were relegated to Serie B of Brazil last season and would sell Machuca for a favorable price due to his suspension. The report states that Independiente would initially pay about 150 thousand dollars for 60% of the rights, plus another 150 thousand for every 15 matches played, up to 60 matches, which could total 750 thousand dollars. The remaining 40% of the rights will stay with Fortaleza and the player. Machuca is suspended by FIFA until November 5 for passport adulteration to play for Malaysia.

According to César Luis Merlo, Imanol Machuca is a new signing for Independiente. He arrives from Fortaleza and signs a contract until December 2029. He will only start receiving his salary once the suspension imposed by FIFA is lifted.

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.