After failed talks, São Paulo eye another Portuguese to bolster defence | OneFootball

After ending negotiations for names such as Domingos Duarte and Arthur Chaves, São Paulo’s board remains active in the market in search of options to meet coach Dorival Júnior’s needs and strengthen the team’s defensive system.

According to what AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned, the Morumbi club has been monitoring another Portuguese name in recent days: 23-year-old André Amaro, who is currently a free agent after the end of his contract with Al-Rayyan of Qatar.

São Paulo’s leadership has taken an urgent stance regarding the signing of a center-back and expects to move forward in talks with the European player’s representatives in the coming days.

André Amaro’s free-agent status fits with the club president’s current policy of financial austerity.

Given the budget restrictions and the focus on balancing cash flow, signing players who do not require immediate transfer fees is being treated as a priority to address the shortage in the position during the second-half transfer window.

Developed at Vitória de Guimarães, the same club where André Silva played in Portugal, Amaro was once regarded as the most promising Portuguese defender, having served as a starter and captain for the country’s youth national teams.

In 2023, he was sold to Qatari football for nearly €8 million, and the move ended up costing him dearly in terms of his personal project, as he failed to get opportunities with Portugal’s senior national team and saw the excitement surrounding his name fade considerably.

Standing at an impressive 1.88 meters tall, Amaro decided not to renew his deal with Al-Rayyan in search of an opportunity in a more high-profile football market.

Defensive unit and current options

Among the new names being analyzed by the club is Brazilian player Felipe Silva, 24, who belongs to Porto B and is under contract with the Portuguese side until 2029 — although the figures set by the Europeans for a permanent transfer also come close to the upper limit of São Paulo’s planning.

Recently, São Paulo eased the numerical shortage in the position by reintegrating Ecuadorian Robert Arboleda, who had been serving a punishment for indiscipline. Under coach Dorival Júnior, the technical staff currently has five options for central defense: Alan Franco, Sabino, Osorio, Rafael Tolói, and Arboleda himself.

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