Porto want big money, defender no longer in São Paulo plans | OneFootball

São Paulo has hit a financial obstacle in its attempt to sign 24-year-old Brazilian center-back Felipe Silva. Porto set a fee of 3 million euros (approximately R$18 million at the current exchange rate) to release the defender on a permanent deal.

The European club’s demand goes against São Paulo’s strategy for the current transfer window. Amid a scenario of budget constraints and strained cash flow — highlighted by the recent delay in image rights payments to the squad — São Paulo is prioritizing the signing of free agents or loan deals with no operating costs.

Porto’s uncompromising stance, having already rejected the possibility of loaning out the player, has temporarily pushed the defender out of Tricolor’s plans, as the club continues to monitor the market for viable options to strengthen its defense.

Player background and difficulties in the center-back market

Developed in Avaí’s youth academy, Felipe Silva was promoted to the senior team in 2022 and was transferred to Gil Vicente the following year.

After making nine appearances for the team, he was loaned to Porto B in 2024. At the end of the season, the Portuguese club exercised its option to buy him permanently for around 500,000 euros (R$2.9 million at the exchange rate at the time). For Porto’s B team, the center-back has recorded 63 official appearances and scored four goals.

The pursuit of Felipe Silva comes amid the difficulties faced by the club’s hierarchy in strengthening the defense. The club remains in talks with center-backs Domingos Duarte and Arthur Chaves, but internal optimism has waned.

The signing of Arthur Chaves is considered virtually off the table: Hoffenheim of Germany, which holds the player’s economic rights, rejected three loan offers sent by São Paulo and is demanding immediate financial compensation to release the defender.

As for Duarte, Tricolor has made its final move and accepted the financial terms requested by the player, and is now awaiting a response.

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