José López Talks River Plate Rumors and Previews Chelsea Clash

Palmeiras striker José Manuel López is set to play a crucial role in the upcoming Club World Cup quarterfinal against Chelsea. Ahead of Friday’s high-stakes clash, the Argentine forward spoke about the significance of the match and addressed ongoing transfer rumors linking him with River Plate.

“We’re about to play a very important match, in a very important tournament,” López said, emphasizing the opportunity to face a top European side in such a prestigious competition.

When asked about River Plate’s long-standing interest, López replied: “I haven’t thought about it. These things always come up, it’s happened in past transfer windows. I haven’t spoken to anyone, and I don’t know anything. I’m happy here, very happy.” Still, he didn’t completely rule out a potential move: “You can never close the door on the future because you never know what can happen, but I’m doing well here.”

López, who has been valuable for Palmeiras since his arrival, has previously attracted attention from several clubs due to his goalscoring form. The 23-year-old remains focused on the current challenge but acknowledged the unpredictability of football careers.

Midfielder Mauricio also previewed the match, saying: “We’re facing a European giant. Both teams are strong tactically. We hope to put in a great performance and advance to the next round.” The anticipation is building as Palmeiras looks to prove itself on the global stage.