Bizarre, Artur's São Paulo deal could cost over R$2m by year-end | OneFootball

São Paulo finalized the signing of Artur from Botafogo on loan until the end of the season under a model that combines cost-sharing and compensation tied to sporting performance.

The agreement states that the São Paulo club will cover 60% of the wages, while the Rio side will be responsible for the remaining 40%. According to journalist Jorge Nicola, the total salary package is around R$ 1 million per month.

The structure of the deal, however, goes beyond a simple split. There is a mechanism that could be described as a kind of “cashback” linked to player usage targets, which could significantly change the final cost for Tricolor.

This compensation will only be paid at the end of the contract, in December, and depends on meeting two different levels of targets, both related to the number of matches played by the player.

If the forward reaches the first threshold, the Morumbi club will have to reimburse half of the amount spent by the Rio team on wages during the period. If the second target is met, the reimbursement becomes full, effectively shifting the entire cost of the contract to São Paulo.

The exact figures for these targets were not disclosed, but also according to Nicola, one of them would be participation in 60% of the team’s remaining matches, with at least 45 minutes played.

This format creates a scenario in which the initial cost is partially predictable, but the total amount depends directly on how much the player is used.

In other words, the more Artur plays — which, in theory, would indicate good performances or a technical need within the squad — the greater São Paulo’s future outlay will be, potentially reaching around R$ 2.7 million.

The fact that he would play more than half of the match in at least 60% of the team’s games would also suggest a starting role.

In addition, the contract reportedly includes a strategic clause for the mid-year transfer window. In the event of an offer from abroad, the São Paulo side will have the option to acquire 60% of the player’s economic rights for up to €6 million (R$ 36.2 million), with payment starting in January next year. This amount would only be due if an option to buy is exercised after receiving an equal or higher offer from a foreign club; if the offer is lower, it will be enough simply to match the amount offered.

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