Atlético Madrid eyeing free agent deal for 37-year-old defender | OneFootball

La Liga giants Atlético Madrid are expressing a keen interest in the signature of a member of the defensive ranks at Benfica.

That’s according to CNN Portugal, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, who point towards Nicolás Otamendi as the player in question.

Stopper Otamendi is for his part fresh off what was a thoroughly impressive campaign in 2024/25.

Despite now being 37 years of age, the Argentine continued to play nothing short of a pivotal role for the aforementioned Benfica.

All told, Otamendi racked up 50 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and four assists along the way.

And such exploits, evidently, did not go unnoticed in Spain’s capital…

As per a report from MD, amid an ongoing search for reinforcements at centre-back for next season, Diego Simeone’s Atlético have earmarked Otamendi as a potential low-risk, high-reward addition:

‘According to information from CNN Portugal, the Spanish club is very interested in signing 37-year-old Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi, whose contract with Benfica expires after the Club World Cup.’

It now remains to be seen if the veteran stopper is interested in a summer move to the Metropolitano.

Conor Laird – GSFN