Palmeiras ease in Jhon Arias as Anderson Barros calls deal his toughest | OneFootball

Palmeiras are easing in Jhon Arias, managing his minutes as part of a planned adaptation after his return from England. The Colombian made four cameos before four starts, and has completed the full 90 only once.

Football director Anderson Barros said the transfer was his most difficult at the club, with financial terms rising during talks and a four-year payment schedule key to closing the deal, he told TV Palmeiras. He added that Palmeiras briefly explored Thiago Almada in parallel, yet Arias remained the priority.

Arias is regaining rhythm in Brazilian football after six months at Wolverhampton, where he played 26 games, scored two goals and registered one assist amid a relegation fight. He moved from Fluminense to England without a break after five seasons there from 2021 to 2025, then switched to Palmeiras with only a week’s rest to organise his return.

He said his body has felt the strain after more than a year without holidays, and that easing in respects the demands of the Brazilian calendar. Adjusting to new team-mates, a coach, a system and different pitches, he added, takes time.

The attacking midfielder has valued the welcome from team-mates, noting the collective celebration of his first Palmeiras goal against Botafogo. He will link up with Colombia next week for March friendlies with Croatia and France, after the clássico with São Paulo.

Arias is Palmeiras’ marquee signing this season, with a fee of R$154.8 million payable to the English club.

Source: Globo.com