Massis pushes for talks: Alisson’s move to Corinthians discussed | OneFootball

On his first day as president of São Paulo following the impeachment of Julio Casares, Harry Massis Júnior indicated that he intends to fulfill the promise made to allies on Friday night (16): the top priority of his temporary administration will be football.

The new tricolor leader ignored contacts from allies and sycophants and spent much of his Saturday at the Barra Funda training center, first speaking with the entire squad and members of the coaching staff. He then had private conversations with leading players, football executive Rui Costa, and coach Hernán Crespo.

With Costa, Massis was direct. He wants to see all São Paulo's negotiations for player departures unlocked. Initially, there are two that were awaiting higher orders, so to speak. One of them is settled: Rodriguinho's move to Bragantino. As AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR revealed, the Morumbi club was only waiting for the outcome of Casares' future to release the player.

The greater concern is named Alisson. The midfielder was requested by coach Dorival Júnior at rival Corinthians. Negotiations have been dragging on since the beginning of the month. Therefore, the Tricolor decided to somewhat distance 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 this Sunday (18), precisely against the team from the eastern zone, in Itaquera, for the Paulista Championship. Crespo himself confirmed the information.

Massis was informed by Costa about the current stage of the deal. The rival insists on a player exchange. The problem is that São Paulo is not interested in any of the offered athletes.

The first tricolor choice was also midfielder Ranielli. But Corinthians did not accept the 'offer'. A second name was suggested by the São Paulo team, José Martínez. But the Venezuelan is stuck in his home country, without a passport, and has not yet returned to Parque São Jorge. To complicate matters, his agent informed the rival that he is not interested in seeing his client at Morumbi.

While the clubs are at a standstill, Dorival acted behind the scenes. He called Alisson and, according to 'ESPN', convinced the number 25 to switch clubs. The reason given to São Paulo's directors is that he seeks more playing time. Which is somewhat strange, as he was a starter in Tricolor's season opener against Mirassol. And he is only not being listed by Crespo due to 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 gives in and provides what São Paulo asked for, or they pay an amount deemed fair by the Morumbi side.

FUTURE AT MORUMBI

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 to businessman Pedro Lourenço, owner of the Minas Gerais club's SAF. And because 'Pedrinho BH' had suggested Alisson's name in the last two transfer windows.

The reason for the Minas Gerais boss's near-obsession with the São Paulo player dates back to the past. Alisson was revealed at Cruzeiro and was part of the blue team's youth categories when Lourenço financially supported and had an informal role in the lower ranks.

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 issues.

All this closeness, of course, means that Alisson's name is constantly being considered at his old home.

Originally a right-winger, Alisson has been playing as a midfielder for the Tricolor since 2023 when he was improvised by Dorival Júnior during the Brazilian Cup title campaign. It was the player's comeback, who had been criticized until then and had personal problems.

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

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

Therefore, it is natural that his name is being mentioned in the eastern zone 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. He played 54 games, 14 of which he came off the bench. Only in two games where he was listed did he not take the field. He scored only one goal in the year.

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