Vélez Makes Surprise Move to Bring Back Otamendi

In a surprising development, Vélez Sarsfield has reached out to Nicolás Otamendi to discuss a potential return to the club, according to TyC Sports. The defender's contract with Benfica expires on June 30, and the Argentine club, led by president Fabián Berlanga, is keen on strengthening the squad ahead of the Copa Libertadores round of 16, where they will face Brazil's Fortaleza.

Otamendi, who joined Vélez's youth academy at the age of ten and made his first-team debut in 2007, holds a special place in the club's history. Despite the interest from Vélez and his affection for the club, Otamendi's current priority is to continue playing in Europe. Benfica has already offered him a contract extension of one or two more seasons, and as the team's captain and a key figure, he is focused on the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where Benfica will compete in Group C against Boca Juniors, Bayern Munich, and Auckland City.

In previous transfer windows, Otamendi was also linked with River Plate, the club he supports, but he declined offers to remain at the highest level of European football. In fact, last November, he publicly denied rumors about a potential move to River.

Vélez's approach is part of a recent trend of Argentine clubs bringing back prominent players, exemplified by Ángel Di María's return to Rosario Central. While Otamendi's return to Argentine football seems unlikely in the near future, the initiative by Vélez keeps the door open for a possible reunion down the line.