Leila Pereira mirrors Arias approach as Palmeiras pursue Nino | OneFootball

With the transfer window nearing its end, Palmeiras are considering waiting until mid 2026 to finalise a centre-back signing, with Nino their Plan A.

According to Nosso Palestra, Leila Pereira has kept regular contact with the Zenit defender and his entourage, including family, a tactic similar to the club’s approach when courting Jhon Arias.

Nino has emerged as Abel Ferreira’s preferred target and is also favoured by Pereira, matching the brief for leadership, age profile and full familiarity with Brazilian football, so no adaptation would be required.

There is a preliminary agreement on contract terms, and the club have signalled a four-year offer, with that position established since 17 January.

Even so, Zenit have not agreed to release the player now. An emissary travelled to Abu Dhabi in recent weeks, while the Russian club were in pre-season, to try to unlock negotiations, but without success.

There is optimism at Palmeiras that a deal could be possible in the next transfer window. Pereira and the hierarchy plan to maintain close contact with the player, while Fluminense also want him and would be a rival.

Source: Nosso Palestra