After row with Júlio Baptista, Cotia prospect joins Palmeiras for free | OneFootball

On the final day of the transfer window, São Paulo completed the deal for left-back Geovanne Cuiabano, an 18-year-old standout from Cotia, to join Palmeiras’ youth setup.

The promising defender, who had been struggling for space in São Paulo’s under-20 team, signed a permanent deal with the rival club through September 2028. The move was completed without any immediate financial compensation to São Paulo.

Under the agreement, São Paulo and Palmeiras split the player’s economic rights equally, with 50% for each club. The contract also includes two purchase option clauses in favor of the rival club: Palmeiras may acquire an additional 20% for R$ 2 million by April 2029, and another 10% for the same amount during the term of the contract.

If both options are exercised, the Pompeia side will reach 80% of Cuiabano’s rights with a total investment of R$ 4 million, leaving São Paulo with the remaining 20% in any future sale.

To protect the prospect, Palmeiras set a release clause of R$ 30 million for the domestic market and 100 million euros (R$ 594 million at the exchange rate of the day) for international transfers.

Loss of space and clash with Júlio Baptista

At São Paulo since 2023, when he joined the under-15 team, Geovanne Cuiabano signed his first professional contract in 2025 after strong performances that earned him call-ups to Brazil’s youth national teams. However, the player saw his minutes decrease this season with the arrival of coach Júlio Baptista in charge of the under-20 side.

As reported by AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR in August, alongside the search for a new club, people from the São Paulo player’s camp expressed dissatisfaction with Júlio Baptista’s conduct, the coach hired in April to lead the under-20 team on a deal running through December 2028.

Among the guidelines introduced by the former player at the Cotia facilities were the ban on using cell phones during meals, travel, and pre-match moments, as well as the prohibition of swearing during training sessions and matches — measures aimed at discipline and the players’ behavioral development. The coach himself confirmed the measures in a recent interview with Globo Esporte.

“He even banned swearing,” said a source close to the player, highlighting the friction caused by the new rules of coexistence.

The dissatisfaction over the lack of opportunities also led to a public statement released at the end of August by RGV Sports, the company representing the full-back. The statement accused the São Paulo coach of sidelining the player for off-field reasons.

“The concern is directed at the way coach Júlio Baptista has been handling the situation. We understand that personal issues or vanity must never outweigh the development process of a young athlete, much less put at risk his development, his career, and a dream built over so many years,” the statement from the player’s advisory team said, as he remained out of activities until his departure was finalized.

Despite the rivalry on the pitch, the movement of youth players without immediate payment and with shared rights is handled pragmatically by both boards, which maintain a good institutional relationship in negotiations of this kind.

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