São Paulo target defenders: Mirassol and Fortaleza in their sights | OneFootball

In addition to a second attacker, capable of pairing with the mobile center forward, a defender also seems to be part of São Paulo's plans for their squad in 2026.

At least that's the indication given by the inquiries made by the club in the market so far this week.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has found out that three names for the defense have been scouted by the football executive Rui Costa. None with an official proposal formalized, it's important to highlight.

The most talked-about name among São Paulo fans is Jemmes, from Mirassol, whose speculation has already been leaking around. Present in 37 of Mirassol's 38 matches in this year's Brasileirão, the defender finished the championship valued and had 60% of his economic rights recently acquired by the interior club for R$ 4 million. He was playing on loan.

The problem for São Paulo is the usual: lack of money. Mirassol leaked to those interested in Jemmes that they will only open negotiations for their player if they are in the range of 5 million euros (about R$ 31 million). In other words, far above what Tricolor intends (and can spend)…

Another option discussed internally is Gaston Ávila. The 24-year-old Argentine is a suggestion from coach Hernán Crespo, interested in the player's quality in playing on the left side (being able to act as a full-back).

Ávila belongs to Ajax, from the Netherlands, with whom he has a contract until June 2028, but played last season on loan to the relegated Fortaleza, playing in 34 matches throughout the year.

There is a positive signal from the Dutch to discuss a loan valid for one year, which pleases São Paulo, who would be negotiating the value of a clause for a definitive purchase in case of meeting targets.

Lastly, a name that is already well-known to São Paulo fans: Gustavo Medina. The player has been offered again by the agent Giuliano Bertolucci, owner of Ferroviária, where the 24-year-old defender plays.

Here the situation is more complicated. Medina was close to being signed in the middle of the year when Luis Zubeldía, who had approved the arrival, was dismissed. Crespo analyzed the name and judged that he did not have the necessary quality to fit into his three-defender system.

In other words, to put it simply, it doesn't seem that the player did much else during the rest of the year to make the Tricolor coach change his mind. But internally at São Paulo, the name is seen as a market opportunity.

The search for a defender shows that it's unlikely all the current squad members in that position will remain. As AMT has already revealed, Arboleda's agent, for example, is traveling seeking proposals for the Ecuadorian.

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