São Paulo sign top scorer from Cuiabá for 2026 with Crespo's nod | OneFootball

São Paulo reached an agreement with Cuiabá and signed the young talent Gustavo Santana, a forward who is already shining in the tricolor youth categories in Cotia. As he is already 20 years old, the signing was aimed exclusively at his use by Hernán Crespo in the professional team starting in 2026.

It was the Argentine coach who saw, evaluated, and liked the striker during his participation in training sessions with the squad at the Barra Funda training center. With Crespo's approval, the club pursued its first reinforcement for the next season. Additionally, the coaching staff attended several under-20 team games in person to highlight the main talents to the coach.

The Cuiabá club announced this Friday (17) that they negotiated 80% of Santana's economic rights, who had been on loan since the beginning of the year, with São Paulo, under the conditions previously stipulated in the contract, for the amount of R$ 700,000.

However, for this to happen, the clubs needed to resolve an issue involving the player. Cuiabá had filed a complaint against Tricolor with the CNRD (National Dispute Resolution Chamber) of the CBF, alleging a 'default' on a R$ 1 million fine that the Morumbi club was supposed to pay for the irregular lineup of Gustavo.

The forward was fielded in the last six minutes of the 1-1 draw between the teams on June 11, in the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. However, as confirmed by Cuiabá, 'by mutual agreement, the club waived the fine stipulated in the contractual clause concerning the player's use in June in a match against our team in the Under-20 Brasileirão,' thus resolving the uncomfortable situation.

“Cuiabá reiterates its respect for São Paulo, one of the biggest clubs in Brazilian football, and highlights that this agreement strengthens the relationship between the institutions, paving the way for it to remain transparent and positive in future negotiations. Transforming lives through sport is one of Cuiabá's missions. The club thanks the athlete for the period he wore our colors and wishes him success in his career,” the Cuiabá statement concluded.

Gustavo Santana is São Paulo's top scorer in the Paulista Championship, with ten goals in 19 games, in addition to one assist. In the last match of the state championship, in the semifinal against Guarani in Cotia, he scored once again, with a beautiful goal to turn the game around and secure a 2-1 victory.

“This moment I am experiencing is the result of a lot of work and dedication since I arrived at São Paulo. Whether starting the games or coming off the bench, I will never hold back and will always give my best in this jersey. I hope to have many more goals, victories, and titles to celebrate here,” projected the São Paulo gem about his great phase at the new club.

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