Otamendi during the match against Real Madrid
Photo by BRUNO DE CARVALHO / BRAZIL PHOTO PRESS / BRAZIL PHOTO PRESS VIA AFP
While River Plate is focused on defining key matches this semester, the club has already begun making strong moves in the transfer market. One name generating the most excitement in Núñez is Nicolás Otamendi (38). The World Cup-winning defender’s contract with Benfica expires in June, and according to reports from the last few hours, his arrival at River Plate appears much closer to becoming a reality.
The rumor gained traction after journalist César Luis Merlo confirmed that negotiations are “very advanced,” adding that the center-back would sign an 18-month deal with the Argentine club once the 2026 World Cup concludes.
River seeks quality and leadership for the second half of the season. The board, led by Stefano Di Carlo alongside sporting director Pablo Longoria, is working on a major squad rebuild ahead of the second half of the year. The goal is to reinforce several key positions and add experience to compete on all fronts. In this context, Otamendi emerges as an absolute priority.
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At 38 years old, the defender remains relevant on the international stage and continues to play an important role for both Benfica and the Argentine national team. Beyond his footballing quality, River values his personality and leadership in the dressing room, qualities they consider essential for a period of renewal.
This is not the first time the former Vélez player has been linked to the Núñez club. The player himself has admitted on more than one occasion his fondness for River and has never ruled out the possibility of playing there before retiring.
The 2026 World Cup is likely to be Nico Otamendi’s last major tournament with the Argentine national team. Therefore, the defender’s plan would be to stay in Europe until after the World Cup and then finalize his move to Argentine football.
River believes the timing is ideal to push forward and aims to close an agreement as soon as possible to avoid competition from other clubs.
Other names being considered by River
The potential signing of Otamendi would not be the only big move in the market. The club is also closely monitoring other players with international experience.
One of them is Ángel Correa, currently at Tigres in Mexico. The forward is highly regarded internally, although his financial situation makes negotiations complex.
Another target is Mauro Arambarri, Getafe’s midfielder, with whom informal contacts have already been made. Also on the list is Nicolás Domínguez, now at Nottingham Forest, though his long contract in England makes any immediate progress difficult.
For the attack, the dream is to repatriate Giovanni Simeone, a product of the club’s youth system who is currently playing in Italian football. The striker is reportedly one of the strongest requests from the coaching staff to bolster the offensive line.
A market that could change River’s future
With a squad in need of renewal and greater competitive experience, River aims to pull off one of the most ambitious transfer windows in recent years. The possible arrival of Otamendi would not only bring a World Cup winner but also add a commanding voice to a team looking to fight for international titles again.
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