Botafogo Close to Signing Cristian Medina from Estudiantes

Botafogo is on the verge of securing the transfer of midfielder Cristian Medina from Estudiantes de La Plata, with the player expected to travel to Brazil early next week. Negotiations have progressed significantly and a deal appears imminent.

Deal Structure and Timeline

According to reports from UOL Esporte, Medina is expected to notify Estudiantes in the coming days of his intention to terminate his contract with the Argentine club. He is anticipated to sign a four- to five-year contract with Botafogo.

Ownership and Transfer Details

The transfer is unique in that Medina’s economic rights are held by an investor group, rather than Estudiantes directly. Ge.globo.com reports that the deal will be conducted with this investment fund, not with the Argentine club itself. This arrangement stemmed from a previous agreement where representatives of Medina paid a release clause to Boca Juniors through the fund and subsequently placed the player with Estudiantes.

Medina’s Departure from Estudiantes

Medina has already been treated as a departing player within Estudiantes, and was not included in the squad for their recent match against Cerro Porteño. He is expected to bid farewell to his teammates this Sunday, during their game against Gimnasia, before traveling to Rio de Janeiro to join Botafogo, as reported by BTB Sports.

Addressing Botafogo’s Midfield Needs

Botafogo’s pursuit of Medina comes after resolving issues related to a transfer ban imposed by FIFA. The club aims to bolster its midfield following the departure of Marlon Freitas to Palmeiras. The acquisition of Medina is expected to bring creativity, dynamism, and defensive capabilities to the team.

Investor Expectations

The investor group believes that a successful stint with Botafogo could attract interest from European clubs, as they feel Medina did not receive sufficient exposure during his time with Estudiantes. Bolavip details how the investor group sought to use Estudiantes as a platform to increase Medina’s market value.