Santos face transfer ban, exits and wait on Neymar as season resumes | OneFootball

Santos, the first São Paulo side back in competition, return this week under a FIFA transfer ban and with Neymar’s future unresolved. They visit Botafogo at Nilton Santos on Thursday at 19:30 in the 19th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

According to Globo.com, a 2.032 million euro debt to Monaco from the Jean Lucas deal triggered the ban. Until it is cleared, Santos cannot register players for three transfer windows. June wages were delayed, two months of image rights are owed, and first quarter accounts showed liabilities above R$ 1 billion.

Tomás Rincón agreed his release, Zé Ivaldo joined Remo on loan, while Mayke and Zé Rafael have unresolved futures. Lautaro Díaz’s loan ended and he is expected to join Racing to work again with Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

Cuca’s Portugal camp was scrapped after the CBF brought forward the 19th round due to the Copa Sul-Americana play-off. Instead, Santos beat União São João 3-0, then drew 0-0 with Osasco Sporting.

He lacked Thaciano, Gabriel Bontempo and Igor Vinícius against União São João, and only Thaciano was available versus Osasco Sporting. Moisés and Pepê Fermino were injured in the first friendly, adding doubts for Botafogo.

Thaciano and Igor Vinícius should return for the league. Bontempo, a standout this season, is managing pubic pain and is the major concern.

Neymar returned from Brazil’s last 16 loss to Norway, has been given time off and is due at CT Rei Pelé on Friday. His deal runs to 31 December, yet his next step is unclear. Some at the club expect him to report and play, though others fear the early exit could even be the final act of the 34-year-old’s career.

Source: Globo.com