Independiente is attempting to sign a forward before the transfer market closes and has expressed interest in 32-year-old Uruguayan player Michael Santos from Vélez. The move is due to manager Gustavo Quinteros's desire for an alternative to Gabriel Ávalos, as he considers Ignacio Pussetto a winger. Santos is a player Quinteros likes. However, the forward has a contract with Vélez until the end of 2027 and receives a high salary, which is a financial obstacle to his potential arrival. Santos, who has been capped twice by Uruguay, joined Vélez in July 2024. In the 2025/2026 Torneo Apertura season, he has made one appearance without scoring. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €400k.