Santos prioritise wages as Monaco debt keeps club under transfer ban | OneFootball

A month after FIFA's transfer ban, Santos still have no funds to clear their Monaco debt and are prioritising player wages.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the club were sanctioned on the first of July and cannot register signings until they pay €2,032,876.71 to Monaco or sit out three transfer windows.

The debt stems from the July 2023 signing of midfielder Jean Lucas for six million dollars. The board paid two instalments, in August that year and in June 2024, but missed the final payment, due in January last year.

The ban has blocked the registration of left-back Pedro Saraiva and other additions. Only renewals, releases or terminations can be entered in the CBF's BID.

With no cash, Cuca's side have been unable to strengthen since the domestic window opened on the eighth of July. The window closes on the eleventh of September and there is no timetable to settle the debt.

Salaries and image rights are in arrears. Right-back Mayke has gone to court seeking an indirect termination, following steps taken by striker Tiquinho Soares. Such exits are expected to bring million-level losses, with debts already owed from the departures of Rincón, Furch, Caixinha and Vojvoda.

In early July, Cuca said paying wages would be Santos' biggest reinforcement for the second half. The club's liabilities topped R$ 1.1 billion in the first quarter, many future revenues have been advanced, and the board believe sales could help. They are awaiting offers for Gabriel Brazão and others, but none have arrived.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”