Gustavo Sá would represent more than depth: Olympiacos are trying to build a second creative axis | OneFootball

Olympiacos’ interest in Gustavo Sá initially appeared to be another ambitious entry on a crowded midfield shortlist. The latest reporting gives the pursuit a much more specific tactical purpose.

Kostas Nikolakopoulos reports that Olympiacos have selected the Famalicão captain primarily as the alternative—and eventual competitor—to Chiquinho. Sá can operate deeper as a No. 8, but the intended role would place him closer to the forwards, where his creativity, movement and finishing could give José Luis Mendilibar another central attacking reference.

That distinction matters because Sá and Yacine Titraoui are not necessarily competing for the same squad place.

Two midfield additions, two different problems

Titraoui is being pursued as a high-energy central midfielder capable of progressing the ball, resisting pressure and covering ground between the penalty areas.

Sá would address a different need.

Chiquinho remains one of the players most responsible for connecting Olympiacos’ midfield with its attack. He finds spaces around the opposition midfield, supports the press and contributes goals without playing as a conventional striker. When he is unavailable or fatigued, Olympiacos lack a natural replacement with the same mixture of intelligence and involvement in the final-third.

Sá could provide that alternative while offering a somewhat different emphasis. The Portuguese midfielder appears more naturally creative and can contribute as a scorer and final passer, whereas Chiquinho’s value is often found in movement, pressing coordination and the timing of his arrivals.

Signing both Sá and Titraoui would therefore amount to a genuine midfield redesign rather than simple numerical reinforcement.

Why Famalicão’s valuation is the major question

The financial challenge is obvious.

The report says Famalicão have asked interested clubs—including Benfica and West Ham—for approximately €20 million. That is far beyond the normal cost of a straightforward Olympiacos signing.

For the operation to become realistic, the “formula” described in the report would likely need to reduce the immediate guaranteed burden or distribute the player’s cost among multiple parties.

Possible structures could include:

No reliable source has yet identified which mechanism is being considered. Any specific claim about Nottingham Forest or another club’s participation remains inference rather than confirmed fact.

That uncertainty is central. Olympiacos may genuinely have selected Sá, but selection is easier than solving a €20 million valuation.

Why Olympiacos would invest heavily

Sá’s age changes the calculation.

At 21, he already has three seasons as a regular senior player and has captained Famalicão. Olympiacos would not be paying only for immediate backup minutes. They would be acquiring a player who could eventually replace Chiquinho, contribute in Europe and appreciate substantially in value.

This is the same strategic logic behind the Titraoui pursuit:

The André Luiz and Tzolakis transactions give Olympiacos the financial flexibility to consider such investments. But spending aggressively on several young players also increases the need for careful role definition. Sá must receive enough minutes to justify the cost without destabilizing a functioning starting group.

The UEFA-list pressure

Olympiacos must soon submit their European squad for the NEC Nijmegen matches.

Even if Sá’s transfer progresses rapidly, registration and integration may become difficult. The report also notes that Lorenzo Scipioni and Clayton are expected to miss the list because of injury and that foreign-player limits may force Olympiacos to leave additional senior players out.

That creates two separate timelines:

The first objective may matter more. Olympiacos should not compromise a major multi-year transfer merely to force a player into one qualifier after minimal training.

Where are we

The report establishes that Olympiacos have reportedly chosen Sá and believe a workable route exists.

The transfer still requires evidence of:

Until one of those appears, Sá should be treated as Olympiacos’ preferred attacking-midfield target—not as an incoming player.