Nicólas Otamendi’s contract with Benfica expires in June and the Argentina centre-back will continue without giving any indication to SAD incarnate whether or not he will renew the contract, at a time when news of River interest intensify Plate and a proposal from Al-Sadd, from Saudi Arabia.
The 35-year-old centre-back remains cautious and has left all options open in statements to the Argentine media, guaranteeing he will not make a decision until the end of the season.
“One day the lights will go out and I’ll see what I have to do: if I stop playing, I’ll probably stay connected to football. Right now I’m focused on Benfica, because there are still two games to go and my The desire is to win the first title with the club, because the previous years were not quite good. Then we’ll see what happens,” he referred to radio station Radiofonicos.
River Plate’s interest has long been known. The historic Argentine club wants to rent a central and Otamendi is the priority. According to news published in that country, the Buenos Aires emblem is ready to make a financial effort and make the defender one of the highest paid players in the country. According to the website El Futbolero, Otamendi earns 2.8 million euros / year in wages at Luz, and River, also because it is a free transfer, is willing to take three million in a contract valid for two seasons.
But there are more interested. According to MaisFutebol, Al Saad of Saudi Arabia has already made a bid for the Argentinian in significant numbers. That is the same club that recently reached a settlement with the Colombian midfielder Matheus Uribe, who comes from FC Porto.
Otamendi, remember, could be crowned champion for the fourth time in Portugal, after the titles he won in the service of FC Porto in the 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 seasons. The Argentine joined Benfica in the 2020-21 season, from Manchester City, involved in the transfer of Rúben Dias in the opposite direction, with Benfica’s SAD paying €15 million at the time.
Title without official celebrations
Benfica can become champions this weekend, something that will become reality if they win the Alvalade derby against Sporting tomorrow. And that could even be tonight, if FC Porto is defeated in Famalicão.
The PSP announced yesterday that it had prepared a device to deal with any impromptu celebrations that could take place should Benfica be crowned champions this weekend, but clarified that “no official celebrations will take place”.
“A plan is being prepared that will cover the entire weekend, knowing that there is a possibility of spontaneous demonstrations by supporters,” said Public Security Police (PSP) intendant Francisco Alves, who denied it was officially planned. every party.
Also related to tomorrow’s derby in Alvalade, Metropolitano de Lisboa announced that it will provide “shuttle” buses for the match, which will ensure the connection between Campo Grande and Cidade Universitária, due to the interruption in the circulation of trains.
Source: DN
