Independiente Makes Formal Bid for Leonardo Godoy, Closing in on Deal

Independiente has made its first major move in the transfer market, submitting a formal offer for right-back Leonardo Godoy. As reported by TyC Sports, the Argentine defender currently plays for Neymar’s Santos, though his rights belong to Athletico Paranaense. The $1.9 million proposal, structured in four installments, has already been accepted by the Brazilian club.

Godoy, 30, made a name for himself at Estudiantes de La Plata, where he won the 2023 Copa Argentina. He has featured in 18 matches and scored once for Santos, who are currently 18th in Brazil’s top division. With the team fighting relegation, Santos has agreed to release him early from his loan, originally set to expire in December.

Independiente head coach Julio Vaccari identified the right flank as a priority, having rotated between Federico Vera and Felipe Loyola in that position. The club sees Godoy as a key upgrade, offering both experience and reliability.

While other Argentine teams have expressed interest, only Independiente submitted a concrete offer. The payment plan consists of $300,000 in September 2025, $500,000 in February and July 2026, and a final $600,000 payment in February 2027. If finalized, Godoy is expected to join training at Villa Domínico in the coming weeks.