Argentinian giants River Plate are reported interested in securing the
services of Colombian footballer Humberto Mendoza who currently plays
for Atlético Nacional.
River Plate won the Clausura tournament played in the first half of 2008 but completely collapsed and finished last in the Apertura tournament, which finished last month.
Mendoza, a 24-year-old defender from Bucaramanga, could be a good option for River Plate in 2009. Atlético are willing to negotiate but apply pressure by mentioning that there are more candidates to sign the player: “We are looking at a series of possibilities. We have alternatives in Mexico and Europe,” said Nacional president Victor Marulanda.
At this point, River don’t look to buy the defender, according to Marulanda, but proposed a loan with an option to purchase the footballer at a later moment.
Mendoza himself is excited about a possible move to Buenos Aires: “I want to go to River. It’s a team that attracts me a lot,” he said. I already told the president that I want to move to Argentina, I want to play for River. I just need his go-ahead. The transfer would be something positive for Nacional and for me.
The player helped Nacional win three national championships since joining from Atlético Bucaramanga in 2004. He also played for Colombia in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup qualifying campaigns.
If Mendoza joins River Plate, he would team up with fellow Colombian Falcao Garcia.
