Corinthians can't pay fee, Alisson offers to forgo wages to exit São Paulo | OneFootball

The saga of Alisson's transfer to rival Corinthians may have new chapters unfolding this week.

According to AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, after the team from the east zone officially informed São Paulo that they cannot pay the R$ 1 million fee upfront required for the player's release for a loan throughout this season, the player and his staff decided to act behind the scenes to try to unlock the deal.

Alisson proposed to São Paulo's directors that in exchange for the fee from the rival, he would forgo the overdue payments that Tricolor still owes him to secure the release.

The report heard from at least two sources that this was the last resort found by the former São Paulo number 25 to fulfill his desire to play in Itaquera, as the clubs agreed on Tuesday night (28) to end the negotiations.

São Paulo is adamant about the 'anti-default clause' set to prevent the east zone team from taking their player and remaining in debt. Even on Saturday (25), Corinthians was already trying to bargain a solution to avoid paying the R$ 1 million upfront required for the player's documentation to be released and for him to be registered in the Brazilian Championship.

Alisson's desperate solution now hinges on staying active. Shortly after Corinthians announced the end of negotiations late Tuesday night, São Paulo informed the midfielder's agents that he would not be reintegrated into the squad and would continue training separately at the Barra Funda training center. At Morumbi, the player has already gained the status of ungrateful for pushing to play for a rival.

Football executive Rui Costa and president Harry Massis Júnior will discuss Alisson's 'offer' throughout this Wednesday (28). The player reportedly has three months of overdue image rights, as well as productivity bonuses. The total amount is less than the fee required for Corinthians' payment, and at the moment, there is no internal consensus on the matter.

The final blow for Alisson to become dispensable also came on Tuesday. The new manager Rafinha, who played with the midfielder, wanted to speak with him personally to understand the situation, but the former number 25 chose to go again to the rival's training center, where he discussed precisely a solution to unlock the situation.

According to Globo Esporte, Alisson did not train or undergo medical exams at the rival, as he still legally belongs to Tricolor, which awaits payment to finally release the player.

This Sunday (25), after São Paulo lost the Copinha final, president Harry Massis spoke firmly about Alisson's real desire: “He is very close to Dorival and no longer wants to play for São Paulo,” said the new leader at Pacaembu. He detailed the issues preventing the loan transfer.

“If they pay us R$ 1 million for the loan and R$ 500 thousand later, I think in October or November, he will play this season at Corinthians. Until this payment is made, he is a São Paulo player. For now, nothing is finalized. Tomorrow (Monday) we will see if the money will be deposited in the account,” said the São Paulo president in an interview with ‘TV Record‘.

“It was a very good negotiation for São Paulo. It will be a one-year loan for R$ 1.5 million. If he plays 25 matches, even playing half-time, they will have to pay an additional 250 thousand euros. If Corinthians wants to use him against São Paulo, they will have to pay another R$ 2 million,” added Massis.

Corinthians still faces difficulties in paying the upfront amount that Tricolor demands, as they are also experiencing a significant financial crisis. Football executive Marcelo Paz mentioned that there were still “bureaucratic issues” to be settled. In simpler terms, they lack the money!

THE NEGOTIATION

The expectation was that Alisson would be announced on Friday (23) as the new reinforcement for Corinthians.

The east zone rival got tired of trying to bargain with São Paulo and agreed to pay R$ 1 million upfront for the loan of the 32-year-old player, a request from their coach, Dorival Júnior.

According to AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, in addition to the upfront amount, Corinthians also committed to paying an additional installment of R$ 500 thousand for the deal starting mid-year, as confirmed by president Harry Massis.

The agreement includes a clause estimated at R$ 1.5 million if Alisson completes at least 25 games in Itaquera, playing at least 45 minutes. And the penalty if the rival decides to field him in a classic against São Paulo this season is R$ 2 million. The player's salary will be covered by the east zone team.

The agreement comes after the Morumbi club stood firm on a counterproposal made by the rival last Thursday (22), asking about the possibility of starting to pay for Alisson's transfer only in 2027. Faced with the refusal and pressure from Dorival Júnior himself for the arrival of his trusted man, they gave in. But as it seems, they do not have the money to finalize the deal.

COMPLICATED

According to AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, after rejecting the initial conditions suggested by the east zone team, which sought the release of number 25 for free, the Morumbi club made a counterproposal: payment of approximately R$ 1.5 million for a one-season loan, with the rival paying the salaries and a mandatory purchase clause if Alisson meets a game target.

Tired of thinking of alternatives to have Alisson, with whom they already have an alignment, Corinthians then decided to respond regarding the payment method for the loan fee. And Tricolor accepted the offer to divide the amount into 11 monthly installments until the end of the year.

At the moment, the report found that the two rivals are just aligning final contract details for the negotiation to be officially announced.

THE NEGOTIATION

With the information that São Paulo finally unlocked its negotiations now that it indeed has a new president, with Harry Massis Júnior taking over from the impeached Julio Casares, São Paulo's Monday (19) was marked by information from Corinthians insiders about their plans to meet coach Dorival Júnior's request and finalize the signing of midfielder Alisson.

Well, the expected contact from the rival happened, according to AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, during the night. Indeed, some information from journalists covering Corinthians proved true. They really want to have Alisson on a one-season loan. But here's the problem: they don't want to pay anything for it.

It wasn't an official proposal, but rather a signal from Marcelo Paz, their new football boss. The draft offer is for São Paulo to release Alisson for the suggested period. And the east zone team would have a purchase obligation if he reached sporting goals, especially a certain number of games.

The Tricolor's response was immediate: no way. São Paulo understands that it makes no sense to release their player for free to strengthen a rival and meet their coach's request. Worse, to give the piece that Dorival so desires and who, in a way, experienced one of the best moments of his career with him.

After rejecting all the exchange options offered by the rival, who in turn refused the requested names (read more below), São Paulo only sees two possible scenarios: a definitive sale or a paid loan, with a transfer fee and possibly a purchase option at the end of the contract.

Conversations should continue, as Dorival insists on having Alisson and the Itaquera team already has a verbal agreement with the player. The coach himself called him, even promised him a starting position, and convinced him. Because of this, São Paulo's management decided to remove him and not use him in games anymore. Even coach Hernán Crespo showed internal discomfort with number 25, saying he “washed his hands” regarding his stay or not.

THE CASE

Alisson's signing was requested by coach Dorival Júnior at rival Corinthians. And the negotiations have been dragging on since the beginning of the month. For this reason, Tricolor decided to somewhat distance the player, not including him in games. He was left out of the victory over São Bernardo midweek and was again not included for the Sunday classic (18), precisely against the east zone team, in Itaquera, for the Paulista Championship. Crespo himself confirmed the information.

The new president Harry Massis was informed by football executive Rui Costa about the current stage of the deal. And how the initial negotiations for player exchanges ended up not working out.

The first Tricolor choice for an exchange was for fellow midfielder Ranielli. But Corinthians did not accept the 'offer'. A second name was suggested by São Paulo, José Martínez. However, the Venezuelan is stuck in his home country due to political issues, without a passport, and has not yet reported back to Parque São Jorge. That is, in quotes, since his girlfriend has been posting photos of the couple enjoying life in Caracas. To complicate matters, his agent informed the rival that he is not interested in seeing his client at Morumbi.

While the clubs are at a standstill, Dorival acted behind the scenes. He called Alisson and, according to 'ESPN', convinced number 25 to change clubs. The reason given to São Paulo's directors is that he seeks more playing time. Which is strange, as he was a starter in Tricolor's season opener against Mirassol. And he is only not being included by Crespo due to the negotiation with Corinthians.

AMT found that Massis agreed with Costa's plan to toughen the stance. They do not want to strengthen a rival easily. Either Corinthians gives in and provides who São Paulo requested, or they pay an amount deemed fair by Morumbi's side.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR revealed in December that Alisson lost his essential status in the squad with coach Hernán Crespo.

There was an expectation from number 25's staff that a proposal from Cruzeiro would arrive. For a simple reason: his closeness to businessman Pedro Lourenço, owner of the SAF of the Minas Gerais team. And because 'Pedrinho BH' had suggested Alisson's name in the last two transfer windows.

The reason for the almost obsession of the Minas Gerais boss for the São Paulo player dates back to the past. Alisson was revealed at Cruzeiro and was part of the blue team's youth categories when Lourenço financially supported and held an informal position in the lower ranks.

In short, Alisson is a kind of 'protégé' of Pedrinho BH. To the point of the businessman helping him at the end of 2022, when the player was sidelined from São Paulo due to psychological issues.

All this closeness, of course, makes Alisson's name constantly probed at his former home.

Originally a right-winger, Alisson has been playing as a midfielder for Tricolor since 2023, when he was improvised by Dorival Júnior during the Copa do Brasil title campaign. It was the player's comeback, previously criticized and with personal problems.

The good phase even led to his name being considered for the national team, as we mentioned above, but the arrival of Hernán Crespo and the change to a three-defender system made him lose space within São Paulo, overshadowed by Marcos Antônio and Bobadilla and becoming a substitute.

Alisson has a good relationship with Dorival. It was under the coach's guidance during the historic Copa do Brasil title campaign that the questioned forward was moved back to midfield and enjoyed a moment of idolization with the Tricolors. Our former commander even pre-called number 25 for the Brazilian National Team (believe it or not).

Therefore, it's natural that his name is being mentioned on the east zone side now that Dorival has moved there.

Even in decline, number 25 finished last year as the fourth player with the most appearances in the season. He played 54 games, 14 of which were coming off the bench. In only two games where he was listed, he did not take the field. He scored just one goal throughout the year.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.