Luciano’s future at São Paulo uncertain, says agent: “Very uncertain” | OneFootball

Luciano finished the year, for the third consecutive time, as São Paulo's top scorer, with 17 goals scored. Criticized and applauded, loved and hated, he remains valued at the club even amid a chaotic year. He was one of the players who played the most and made decisive contributions to the team.

And, as with every end of the season, the number 10 of the tricolor receives various inquiries, always heard first by his agents, and then, if they progress, discussed with the forward. One of those responsible for managing his career, Angelo Canuto, however, said there might be a ‘good fight’ over the future of his client.

“We believe that São Paulo wants to extend the contract further; he is a player of great quality, mature, with his age, his experience. The numbers he presents are interesting. I think we will have a good fight over staying or perhaps transferring to a new club. This is very uncertain.”

“It’s really too early to talk about it. But I believe that something might happen for everyone who supports Luciano and São Paulo,” Canuto indicated in an interview with Globo Esporte.

“Luciano is a very professional player when it comes to making decisions. Every inquiry he receives is passed on to us. And he remains reserved about all of this; we pass on the information to him, what is true, what has a basis. Remembering, as I said, Luciano has a lot of respect for the club he defends. It was no different at other clubs. It’s where he has been the longest, more consolidated in his career,” continued the agent.

Angelo Canuto highlighted that Luciano is happy today at Tricolor and his preference is to continue at the club where he has already scored over 100 goals. He pointed out that only a major financial offer at very high levels could be considered.

“His respect is very great and he makes this very clear. Luciano’s desire is to continue working. If he can work where he is valued, where he feels happy, where he can produce, deliver his work, that is where he would like to be. Financial proposals that can significantly change the athlete’s life are also important.”

But, as mentioned, this is common in the player’s career. He always receives inquiries and some million-dollar offers that make his head turn from the Middle East. In 2023, he turned down one from the United Arab Emirates to try to become a champion at São Paulo, his agent recalled.

“Luciano is a very professional guy, who dedicates himself a lot to the moment, he chose to stay and compete for the two titles. He was the champion of the Copa do Brasil. This demonstrates all his commitment, all his respect and commitment to the club he defends at all times. Suddenly, financially advantageous proposals don’t gain much strength at the moment he is living. He was living an important moment at São Paulo,” Angelo highlighted.

NEGOTIATIONS

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has already revealed at the beginning of the month that Luciano’s agents are on the lookout and traveling in search of Asian proposals. The internal discourse in the club’s professional football is that he is not for sale. But, if something good appears for both sides, a negotiation can be finalized.

Luciano experienced tumultuous periods in the last contract renewal. But he went against his agents' advice and stayed at São Paulo. At the time, he already had a great offer from a Saudi Arabian club (advantageous for him, but not so much for the club). He chose to stay at Morumbi and become one of the highest-paid in the squad (this was before Oscar’s arrival).

Since then, he has been frequently approached by the Brazilian market. The Tricolor almost formalized a swap deal with Guilherme from Santos in the middle of the year. And recently, Vasco approached his agents inquiring about values for a negotiation. At 32, he has a contract only until the end of next year, which might be forcing the board to arrange a transfer. With 17 goals in 58 games, he was São Paulo's top scorer of the year.

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