Belgium, USA may derail São Paulo move for Fortaleza defender | OneFootball

If São Paulo’s initial contacts with Ajax, from the Netherlands, were positive, now the club’s negotiations to bring in defender Gastón Ávila on a one-season loan have cooled off considerably and are at risk of not materializing.

According to information obtained by AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR from sources within São Paulo’s football management, despite receiving a positive signal from the 24-year-old’s agents, the Morumbi club has faced significant competition throughout this week.

The setbacks began on Monday (15th), when Ajax responded to São Paulo saying they planned to integrate the Argentine into their squad. Going through a tough phase in Dutch football, the European giant is looking to overhaul its roster and intends to make use of players who had been loaned out to other teams.

This response led São Paulo to signal to the Dutch club that they would be willing to pay a fee for the player’s loan for the entire 2026 season. The Brazilians’ initial offer, which had excited Ajax at first, was for a free loan with full payment of the player’s wages. There was also a buyout clause set at 3.5 million euros (approximately R$ 22.3 million) at the end of the period.

However, over the past few days, São Paulo has come to understand that Ajax’s hesitation has, let’s say, more lucrative reasons.

Ávila’s agents responded from Europe to the Morumbi club, saying that the Dutch have two other offers for the player, both for a permanent transfer: one from Royal Antwerp, currently eighth in the Belgian Championship, and another from an undisclosed MLS franchise, the league in the United States. Ajax has not confirmed this information to São Paulo’s management.

Sources from São Paulo told the report that they are betting on the player’s desire, as he is already settled in Brazil and interested in staying in the country’s football scene, which offers more visibility than the other markets that have approached him.

Ávila played in the last Brazilian Championship for Fortaleza and will not remain with the northeastern club after their relegation to Serie B. The Argentine is a suggestion from coach Hernán Crespo, who is interested in the player’s ability to operate on the left side (and potentially fill in as a left-back).

Revealed by Boca Juniors, Ávila has a contract with Ajax until June 2028. He played in 34 matches this year for Fortaleza, which paid 50% of his wages.

The search for a defender shows that it is unlikely all the current center-backs in the squad will stay. As AMT has already reported, Arboleda’s agent, for example, is traveling in search of offers for the Ecuadorian. Before Ávila, São Paulo made inquiries about Jemmes, from Mirassol, but the release fee is currently beyond what São Paulo can afford.

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