Santos target Neymar renewal, plan for four tournaments in 2026 | OneFootball

With the end of the season and the relief of remaining in the Série A of the Brazilian Championship, Santos has already started making plans to compete in four tournaments in 2026, something that hasn’t happened in three years. The current priority is renewing Neymar’s contract, but Peixe also promises to keep a close eye on what the market has to offer.

In addition to avoiding relegation, Santos finished the Brasileirão in 12th place and secured a spot in the Copa Sudamericana — one of the goals mentioned by president Marcelo Teixeira in March. The team will also compete in the Paulistão, the Brasileiro, and the Copa do Brasil. This hasn’t happened since 2023.

Peixe has already taken the first steps for the next season. Teixeira has guaranteed the continuity of Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s coaching staff and emphasized that the coach is already included in the planning for 2026.

“We’ve already started planning for 2026. There are four competitions to play. We have the current coaching staff, which will remain. The continuity of Vojvoda and the professionals’ work philosophy is already an important step in this planning. We talked a lot with him today, with Mattos,” said the president.

Neymar’s Renewal is the Priority

For 2026, Santos is also looking to keep Neymar in the squad. Renewing the contract with the number 10 is the club’s top priority at the moment, according to Marcelo Teixeira. The star’s contract runs until the end of the year, and he will undergo a minor procedure on his left knee, with the date yet to be set.

“It’s a simple procedure, just a correction. He’ll be back quickly, soon. We have very positive expectations for an even better return, especially since he’s been playing well in recent games. The Neymar and Santos project for his return to Brazil is with an eye on next year’s World Cup. He’s settled, he’s at home. Of course, we’re talking. We started this dialogue today [Monday], this conversation, and we’re very optimistic that we can renew and he can stay until next year,” highlighted the Santos president.

(Photo: Raul Baretta/ Santos FC)

As Marcelo Teixeira mentioned, Santos is looking to pave the way for Neymar’s possible return to the Brazilian National Team. The star’s main goal is to be at the 2026 World Cup. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear on several occasions that a call-up depends on the player’s physical condition. The Italian insists the star must be 100% fit.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Neymar’s situation, the top brass at Santos is optimistic about renewing the number 10’s contract for another six months. Football director Alexandre Mattos and vice-president Fernando Bonavides have both expressed confidence in recent days when asked about the matter, while coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda highlighted the importance of the star to the team.

And the reinforcements?

The transfer window will open on January 5. Still in a delicate financial situation, Santos is targeting specific reinforcements and is not expected to make any major moves in the market, as the board still sees a scenario of rebuilding and is not in a position to make any rash decisions.

The Santos Deliberative Council has already approved the budget proposal for 2026. In the document, which the report had access to, the club plans a 31% increase in the budget for the main squad. The amount projected for next season is R$ 381,007,613 — a sum that includes salaries, image rights, cost assistance, signing bonuses, intermediations, economic rights, and FGTS.

This season, Santos invested heavily, signed 20 players, and reinforced almost every position in the squad, a scenario that is unlikely to be repeated next year. While some signings were spot on, others fell short. Peixe, however, believes that some players can still deliver better performances.

“Santos won’t do anything drastic. We need to be very calm, try to be more assertive. We understand that sometimes football gets it wrong, some work out and others don’t. Sometimes people demand immediate results. Santos will address some things, of course, that’s natural. Some will leave and others will arrive, but calmly so that we have a better Santos in 2026,” said Alexandre Mattos.

Gabigol on Santos’ radar?

A name that always comes back to Santos’ radar is Gabigol. The Menino da Vila is currently a substitute for Kaio Jorge at Cruzeiro and has already expressed to the press his desire for more playing time. Given the situation, Alexandre Mattos was asked about Peixe’s possible interest in the striker, but he played it down.

“Gabigol, I am absolutely sure, is focused on what Cruzeiro has, which is the important Copa do Brasil semifinal. And as for the future, we’ll wait and see. I think, since the day I arrived, I’ve said this: very calmly. The first thing for Santos is to have responsibility. Santos won’t do anything drastic. We need to be very calm, try to be more assertive,” emphasized Santos’ football director.

Mattos has a good relationship with Gabigol and was even seen talking to the striker after Peixe’s win over Cruzeiro at Vila Belmiro. However, the owner of the Minas Gerais club’s SAF, Pedro Lourenço, made clear his desire for the player to stay.

“Gabriel was really an exceptional signing. He’s a great kid, works hard, we’re happy with him. He hasn’t played as much as he expected, but that’s up to Jardim, not me. He has a contract until 2028 and we’re calm about that. […] He’s a team player, spectacular, never caused any problems. I hope he stays with us until 2028,” said the owner of Cruzeiro’s SAF.

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