A report by Mundo Deportivo mentions Benfica's interest in José María Giménez, and states that the player was on their agenda.

During a Benfica general assembly, former presidential candidate João Diogo Manteigas asked president Rui Costa if a defender the club had an agreement with was José María Giménez. In response, Rui Costa stated that the player was not Giménez. Other clubs, including Juventus, Fenerbahçe, and Milan, have also been linked with the Atlético Madrid player.