NICHOLAS OTAMENDI is set to leave Portuguese giants Benfica, the club has announced.
The Argentine captain will walk out of the Estadio da Luz on June 30 when his contract expires.
Otamendi, 38, informed boss Jose Mourinho of his final decision ahead of the final league game against Estoril after six seasons with the club.
After joining in the summer of 2020, the centre-back has notched 281 appearances, scoring 18 goals and making 14 assists.
The Eagles closed their campaign in Liga Portugal undefeated.
But with the joint-most draws of the season (11) the Lisbon outfit ended in third – qualifying for the Europa League.
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Otamendi has been linked with River Plate but there has not been any official statement.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho remains the bookies favourite to take over from current Los Blancos boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
Despite dominating the majority of the league, Real have had a disappointing season having failed to secure silverware for the fifth time this century.
Barcelona topped the LaLiga after finishing 11 points ahead of their El Clasico rivals.
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The 15-time European champions were kicked out of the Champions League after Bayern Munich beat them to the semi-finals on a 6-4 scoreline – despite battering Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate.
It could be an emotional reunion for the ‘Special One’ who left Real 13 years ago.
At the post-Estoril press conference, Mourinho said: “My future should be decided this week.
“I need time. I need space. I need time to make my decision. This week I think will be very important.
“I don’t have a proposal from Real Madrid. But to hide, to say there is nothing, I cannot do that. There is something. But not with me directly.”
Otamendi won the Premier League three times with Manchester City, as well as the FA Cup, League Cup, and Super Cup.
