TYC reports that River Plate has an agreement with Nicolás Otamendi, who is set to be their first signing of the winter transfer market. After finalizing his departure from Benfica as a free agent, the defender will sign a contract until December 2027, and this may possibly happen before the start of the World Cup.

A Bola reports that Nicolás Otamendi will transfer to River Plate, with the player set to sign after the 2026 World Cup. According to information from Argentina on Thursday, the 38-year-old centre-back has a verbal agreement with the Buenos Aires club. Otamendi chose not to renew with Benfica, declining the possibility of extending his stay by another season, despite interest from other clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia.

Nicolas Otamendi has announced his departure from Benfica in a message on social media, ending a six-year spell in Portugal. Otamendi's name has long been linked to River Plate, a club that wants to bring him back to Argentina to add experience and leadership to the team. There are currently no official confirmations, but Otamendi leaving Benfica makes a new phase in his career possible.

César Luis Merlo reported that Benfica has announced Nicolás Otamendi is leaving as a free agent. The report also states that River Plate's negotiations to sign him are at a very advanced stage, with a proposed 18-month contract.

Nicolás Otamendi is set to play his final game for Benfica this Saturday, as his contract concludes in the summer. A report from A BOLA states that the Argentine centre-back informed José Mourinho of his decision on Friday. Following Argentina's participation in the World Cup, he will move to River Plate. Otamendi is returning to his home country to play for the club he has always supported, and he is expected to sign a contract for one and a half seasons.

According to A Bola, River Plate is one of the options for Nicolás Otamendi. The publication adds that it is not certain that everything is practically agreed with River Plate, which is what has been announced in Argentina.

The Portuguese newspaper Record has reported that Nicolas Otamendi informed the management of the Lisbon club of his decision not to renew his contract. His contract currently expires on June 30. The 38-year-old Argentine defender is expected to return to his home country to play for River Plate.

A Bola reports that while Benfica is interested in renewing Nicolás Otamendi's contract, the defender will consider other financially or emotionally different options from Saudi Arabia or Argentina, with River Plate mentioned as an option in his home country.

Nicolas Otamendi has made it possible for River Plate to negotiate his arrival after the 2026 World Cup. Benfica coach José Mourinho stated that Otamendi's future depends solely on his own decision, mentioning that the player may return to Argentina and River Plate or continue at Benfica. According to the latest rumors from Argentina, Otamendi is motivated by the desire to return to play in his homeland as his career is ending.

A Bola has reported that negotiations are in progress between River Plate and Otamendi concerning a possible transfer for the next season, and that the club is already in talks to sign him. The decision of whether Otamendi will return to Argentina to join River Plate or stay at Benfica rests entirely with the player. It is considered that he has earned the right to choose his future due to his achievements in football.

River Plate will pursue three major signings for the tournament's return in 2026, including Nicolás Otamendi from Benfica, according to Juan Patricio Balbi.

According to the Argentine newspaper Olé, River Plate has initiated contacts to sign Nicolás Otamendi, whose contract with Benfica ends at the end of the season, and the Buenos Aires club has started preliminary conversations with the 38-year-old Argentine international to convince him to return to his home country. Otamendi has admitted to viewing a return to River Plate positively. In Argentina, there is a belief that the transfer could be completed after the national team's participation in the World Cup this summer. Benfica is interested in renewing with Otamendi for another season, a wish also held by coach José Mourinho, but the player will make the final decision. Currently, leaving Benfica appears to be the most likely outcome.

Ignacio Villarroel, the vice president of River Plate, stated that the name of Nicolás Otamendi was very interesting to consider, but clarified that there have been no contacts yet. Villarroel said that as of today there is no formal conversation and that all parties must be respectful of the processes as Benfica, Otamendi, and River Plate are in the middle of the season. He noted that Otamendi is a River fan, a national team player, and a world champion. Villarroel added that an opportunity is always available and mentioned he has a personal relationship with Otamendi, describing him as highly professional, a winner, and serious. He also believes Otamendi will determine for himself how long he will play due to his mindset and physical condition. Otamendi is in the final months of his contract at Benfica, which runs until June.

River Plate's new coach, Eduardo Coudet, wants Nicolas Otamendi at the club. When asked by a journalist from ESPN Argentina about the possibility of joining River Plate after his contract with Benfica ends, Otamendi answered enigmatically that they will see.

Otamendi, who is currently at Benfica and whose contract ends at the end of the season, has been repeatedly linked with River Plate. In an interview, he stated, 'I have one year of contract with Benfica and after the World Cup I will see what I will do. My whole family supports River Plate.' He denied any contact with River Plate's coach Marcelo Gallardo: 'I never spoke with him, I never had the opportunity to talk to him.'

Nicolás Otamendi is in the final stages of his contract with Benfica and has yet to make a decision about his future. River Plate has shown interest in bringing him back to Argentine football for a long time, even before his last contract renewal with Benfica. Otamendi is a fan of River Plate, making this a viable option for him.

Nicolás Otamendi, who is currently playing for Benfica, is at the end of his contract. Despite some recent discomfort related to his trips to Argentina, which were authorized by the club, and his public disagreement with the coach's analysis of a recent match, Otamendi remains a key player for the team. River Plate has shown significant interest in signing Otamendi, who will turn 37 on February 12.

Nicolás Otamendi is in the final year of his contract with Benfica and can freely sign with a new club from January 1st. River Plate has expressed interest in signing him.

Nicolás Otamendi is reportedly considering leaving Benfica in the upcoming winter transfer market. According to Portuguese media, Benfica is willing to facilitate the Argentine defender's departure if he opts to return to Argentina. Otamendi, known to support River Plate, has played a crucial role for Benfica but is assessing the possibility of ending his successful European career to pursue his dream of playing for River Plate. While there is no official confirmation from Otamendi's representatives, Benfica's willingness to negotiate his departure indicates that a return to Argentina could potentially materialize.

Benfica categorically denies any intention to let Nicolás Otamendi leave the club in the January market. The club also emphasizes that Otamendi has no intention of leaving. Despite this, there are persistent rumors of interest from River Plate in Argentina.

River Plate is reportedly very interested in signing Nicolás Otamendi and would like to have him join the team starting in January. However, they are prepared to wait until the summer when his contract with Benfica expires. Despite this interest, it is said that Benfica has no intention of allowing Otamendi to leave at the beginning of next year, as it is a crucial period in the season. Otamendi himself is reportedly not eager to return to Argentina soon, although reports indicate that he is in discussions with River Plate's officials and is even exploring school options for his children there. While River Plate's dream of acquiring Otamendi may come true, it is considered unlikely to happen in January.

River Plate has shown a strong interest in the 36-year-old Argentine international, expressing a desire to acquire him during the winter transfer market. Nevertheless, they are prepared to wait until he completes his contract with Benfica. Journalist Damián Villagra mentioned that the 'Otamendi dream is in progress' and indicated that Otamendi is already in discussions with a River Plate official. While there are no specific details on whether the transfer will occur in January or June, Otamendi is reportedly searching for schools for his children in Argentina, and it is understood in Portugal that he will not be renewing his contract.

According to TNT Sports Argentina, River Plate is looking to sign Nicolás Otamendi. The club aims to secure the defender's transfer at the start of the year; however, both Benfica and Otamendi are not planning to proceed with the move until the season concludes. It was noted by Bruno Lage, the coach of Benfica, that while Otamendi may have aspirations to return to Argentina in the future, his current focus remains on his commitments with Benfica.

Reports from Argentina indicate that Otamendi might make a move to River Plate in January. Bruno Lage, the manager, expressed his pride upon hearing that former players such as Bernardo, Cancelo, Ederson, and Rúben Dias had shown an interest in returning to Benfica. He acknowledged the possibility that Otamendi might wish to return to his home country at some point, but insisted that Otamendi was currently focused on Benfica and preparing for upcoming games. Otamendi is regarded as a role model for younger players.

Nicolás Otamendi is preparing to depart from Benfica during the winter transfer window to make a return to Argentina with River Plate. His primary motivation for the move is his aspiration to participate in the Club World Cup. While River Plate's interest has been longstanding, the conditions for the transfer appear to be coming together now. Discussions with Benfica have yet to take place, as Otamendi still has six months left on his current contract. There is a chance that a symbolic transfer fee might be agreed upon, or Otamendi could choose to terminate his contract, which is set to expire next summer.

Nicolás Otamendi has made the decision to depart from Benfica and join River Plate in Argentina. His objective is to take part in the Club World Cup. This move is in line with his enduring wish to finish his career in Argentina. At the age of 36, Otamendi's contract with Benfica is set to expire in 2025. Reports from both Portugal and Argentina indicate that he plans to leave the Lisbon club during the winter transfer window.

River Plate has shown renewed interest in signing Nicolás Otamendi, who is currently playing for Benfica. Journalist Renzo Pantich indicated that Otamendi's transfer to River Plate is almost certain for January 2025, provided there are no unforeseen circumstances. The negotiations with Benfica could involve a symbolic transfer fee, or Otamendi might choose to terminate his contract, which expires in the summer of the following year. Otamendi is among the highest-paid players at Benfica, and his departure would help reduce the club's financial burden. Otamendi is known to be a fan of River Plate, and his family is supportive of a move to Buenos Aires, which would allow him to play for the historic club before retiring.

Nicolás Otamendi is strongly associated with a move to River Plate. Despite being a fan of the Buenos Aires club, concerns about the lack of security in Argentina are significant factors in his decision-making process.

Nicolás Otamendi, who serves as a defender and captain at Benfica, conveyed his strong support for River Plate and discussed the possibility of representing the club before concluding his career. He indicated that he feels comfortable at Benfica and acknowledged that returning to Argentina is becoming increasingly challenging. Otamendi's contract with Benfica extends until June 30, 2025, and he underscored his commitment to his current club. He referred to having a good relationship with River Plate's management but expressed a desire to avoid creating false hopes among their supporters. He mentioned that a decision regarding his future would be made after his contract concludes.

River Plate showed interest in Nicolás Otamendi. The Argentine central defender commented on this possibility. However, he ended up renewing his contract with Benfica for two more seasons.

Nicolás Otamendi mentioned that returning to Argentina, specifically to River Plate, is a very complicated scenario due to the lack of security in the country. He received a proposal to play for River Plate recently, which he refused. He also discussed the possibility with the president, who insisted that he could go to River Plate, but Otamendi decided against it for his family's safety and because he had renewed his contract with Benfica.

Otamendi is being considered by River Plate as an alternative for their defense if the signing of Germán Pezzella fails.

Ariel Ortega, a former international Argentine midfielder and idol of River Plate, advises the club to attempt to sign Nicolás Otamendi, a 36-year-old center-back who has one more year on his contract with Benfica. Otamendi is currently playing very well for Benfica and is considered a key player by coach Roger Schmidt.