Gonzalo Escobar ‘to sign’ new Santos deal this week | OneFootball

Santos have finalised the remaining details and are preparing a contract extension for left-back Gonzalo Escobar, who is expected to sign this week, according to Diario Do Peixe. The club’s transfer ban blocks new registrations, but extensions for current players are permitted.

The Argentine’s contract runs to December. He is expected to sign for two years, with an extra season if he starts 50% of matches in the second year. A financial agreement was reached more than two weeks ago, with clauses since resolved.

Football executive Alexandre Mattos led the push to keep Escobar. Inside the club there was already an expectation of renewal, intensified by the ban and the sale of Souza leaving no other senior left-back.

Reserve Vinicius Lira is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Options include under-20 defender Rafa Gonzaga, or makeshift solutions using Luan Peres, Ananias or attacking midfielder Barreal. Academy arrival Pedro Saraiva was tested in a friendly and cannot be registered under the ban.

Escobar, 29, joined in 2024 from Fortaleza in a swap that sent Felipe Jonatan the other way. His first season brought one goal and two assists in 33 appearances.

In 2025 he played 42 official matches with one assist, plus two friendlies. This year he has 28 games, 14 in the Brasileiro with an assist against Remo, seven in the Paulistão, five in the Sudamericana and two in the Copa do Brasil, totalling 103 for the club.

Source: Diario Do Peixe