São Paulo reject Corinthians’ bid to sign Alisson for free | OneFootball

With the information that São Paulo has finally unlocked its negotiations now that it indeed has a new president, with Harry Massis Júnior taking over from the impeached Julio Casares, São Paulo's Monday (19th) was marked by information from Corinthians' reporters about their plans to meet coach Dorival Júnior's needs and finalize the signing of midfielder Alisson.

Well, the much-anticipated contact from the rival happened, according to AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, during the night. Indeed, some of the information from journalists covering Corinthians proved to be true. They really want Alisson on a one-season loan. But here's the problem: they don't want to pay anything for it.

It wasn't an official proposal, but rather a signal from Marcelo Paz, their new football boss. The draft offer is for São Paulo to release Alisson for the suggested period. And the team from the east zone would have a purchase obligation if he reached sporting goals, especially a certain number of games.

The tricolor response was immediate: no way. São Paulo understands that it doesn't make sense to release its player for free to strengthen a rival and meet their coach's needs. Worse, to give the piece that Dorival so wants and who, in a way, lived one of the best moments in his career with him.

After rejecting all the exchange options offered by the rival, who in turn refused the requested names (read more below), São Paulo only sees two possible scenarios: a definitive sale or a paid loan, with a transfer fee and possibly a purchase option at the end of the contract.

Negotiations are expected to continue, as Dorival insists on having Alisson and the Itaquera team already has a verbal agreement with the player. The coach himself called him, even promised him a starting position, and convinced him. Because of this, São Paulo's management decided to sideline him and no longer use him in games. Even coach Hernán Crespo showed internal discomfort with the number 25, saying he "washed his hands" regarding his stay or not.

THE CASE

Alisson's signing was requested by coach Dorival Júnior at rival Corinthians. And the negotiations have been dragging on since the beginning of the month. Therefore, the Tricolor decided to somewhat sideline the player, not listing him for games. He was left out of the victory over São Bernardo midweek and was again not listed for the classic on Sunday (18th), precisely against the east zone team, in Itaquera, for the Paulista Championship. Crespo himself confirmed the information.

The new president Harry Massis was informed by football executive Rui Costa of the current stage of the business. And how the initial negotiations for player exchanges ended up not working out.

The tricolor's first choice for an exchange was also midfielder Ranielli. But Corinthians did not accept the 'offer'. A second name was suggested by the São Paulo team, José Martínez. However, the Venezuelan is stuck in his home country due to political problems, without a passport, and has not yet returned to Parque São Jorge. That is, in quotes, since his girlfriend has been posting photos of the couple enjoying life in Caracas. To complicate matters, his agent informed the rival that he is not interested in seeing his client at Morumbi.

While the clubs are at square one, Dorival acted behind the scenes. He called Alisson and, according to 'ESPN', convinced the number 25 to change clubs. The reason given to São Paulo directors is that he seeks more playing time. Which is strange, as he was a starter in Tricolor's season opener against Mirassol. And he is only not being listed by Crespo because of the negotiation with Corinthians.

AMT found that Massis agreed with Costa's plan to toughen the stance. They do not want to strengthen a rival easily. Either Corinthians yields and provides who São Paulo asked for, or they pay an amount deemed fair by Morumbi's side.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR revealed in December that Alisson lost his essential status in the squad with coach Hernán Crespo.

There was an expectation from the number 25's staff that a proposal from Cruzeiro would arrive. For a simple reason: his closeness with businessman Pedro Lourenço, owner of the SAF of the Minas Gerais team. And because 'Pedrinho BH' had suggested Alisson's name in the last two transfer windows.

The reason for the almost obsession of the Minas Gerais boss for the São Paulo player dates back to the past. Alisson was revealed at Cruzeiro and was part of the youth categories of the blue team when Lourenço helped financially and had an informal role in the lower layers.

In short, Alisson is a kind of 'protégé' of Pedrinho BH. To the point that the businessman helped him at the end of 2022, when the player was sidelined from São Paulo due to psychological problems.

All this closeness, of course, makes Alisson's name constantly probed at his former home.

Originally a right-winger, Alisson has been playing as a midfielder for Tricolor since 2023, when he was improvised by Dorival Júnior in the Copa do Brasil title campaign. It was the player's comeback, previously criticized and with personal problems.

The good phase even led to his name being considered for a call-up to the National Team, as we mentioned above, but the arrival of Hernán Crespo and the change to a three-defender scheme made him lose space within São Paulo itself, overshadowed by Marcos Antônio and Bobadilla, becoming a reserve.

Alisson has a good relationship with Dorival. It was under the coach's guidance during the historic Copa do Brasil title campaign that the questioned forward was moved back to midfielder and enjoyed a moment of idolization with the tricolors. Our former commander even pre-called the number 25 for the Brazilian National Team (believe it or not).

Therefore, it's natural that his name is being mentioned on the east side now that Dorival has moved there.

Even in a downturn, the number 25 ended last year as the fourth player with the most appearances in the season. There were 54 games, 14 of them coming off the bench. Only in two games where he was listed did he not enter the field. He scored just one goal in the year.

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