Palmeiras and Botafogo close to deal for Barboza after R$ 20 million fee agreed | OneFootball

Palmeiras and Botafogo have reached a verbal agreement for Alexander Barboza’s immediate release, with only minor contractual details still to be finalised.

According to Globo.com, Palmeiras will pay R$ 20 million to sign the defender now, despite his Botafogo deal running to December.

Talks with his management advanced quickly, with contract length, though undisclosed, and salary agreed. Only bonuses and a signing-on fee remain to be finalised.

After the 3-0 win over Independiente Petrolero on Tuesday at Nilton Santos, Barboza said the clubs have an agreement but added he has not yet closed his own terms with Palmeiras.

He will only debut for Palmeiras after the World Cup, with domestic competitions resuming on 22 July, two days after the Brazilian transfer window opens.

Palmeiras had initially planned to bring him in for free in January, once his contract expired, but Cruzeiro’s interest prompted a faster move.

He has 10 Brasileiro appearances, with the 2026 rule lifting the pre-transfer cap to 12, and Botafogo have 5 league games before the World Cup break.

A renewal had been verbally aligned, but fresh demands for guarantees and friction over his agent’s remarks left an extension, once discussed to 2029, unlikely.

Barboza helped Botafogo win the 2024 Conmebol Libertadores and Brazilian title, and has 117 games, 4 goals and 4 assists.

Source: Globo.com