Saga resumes: Luan out for 2026, eyed by Botafogo, swap for Pochettino | OneFootball

The most traditional saga of practically EVERY recent São Paulo transfer window is about to restart: Luan’s future.

Admired by coach Hernán Crespo, who supported his reintegration into the squad after he spent the entire first half of the year sidelined under Luis Zubeldía, the 26-year-old midfielder—guess what—is once again available for negotiation after playing seven matches for the club. He has a contract until the end of next year.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned that the internal assessment is that if an offer comes in for Luan, he will be negotiated. And that’s not all. The club also sees him as a potential bargaining chip for future deals.

With the message sent, the market has started moving. Botafogo, who had already inquired about the midfielder at the beginning of last year, was one of the clubs that approached his staff for information, but they have not yet contacted São Paulo regarding a negotiation.

Remo, recently promoted to the first division, has also been checking on his situation and is reportedly interested in a loan deal.

On São Paulo’s side, Luan is on the list of players the club intends to offer as part of the payment for the release of attacking midfielder Tomás Pochettino, who was relegated with Fortaleza in the last Brazilian Championship.

Pochettino has a contract with Fortaleza until December 2027. The Ceará club knows he is an expensive player to keep on the roster for the second division, but they are not willing to make his release easy.

For São Paulo, things have become more complicated financially. Fortaleza does not want a loan deal, as São Paulo had hoped. They are demanding 4 million euros (about R$ 25.4 million) for the immediate release of the attacking midfielder.

Without the cash, the Morumbi team has concluded that they will have to offer players to Fortaleza as part of the payment. And Luan will be one of those offered.

The assessment is that the chances of the deal happening have increased with the arrival of Tiago Carpini as Fortaleza’s coach. He worked with Luan during his time at São Paulo and even took the midfielder to Vitória when he coached the Bahia team in 2024.

As AMT revealed, Pochettino has his eye on another move to a São Paulo club, in this case Santos, coached by Juan Pablo Vojvoda, considered a friend by the player, who is also making moves behind the scenes to try to sign him for the coastal rival.

São Paulo is evaluating potential names for midfielders, especially playmakers and attackers, to strengthen its squad starting next year. One option for the position is a request from coach Hernán Crespo, who has faced shortages in the sector throughout the second half of this year, with Oscar and Rodriguinho sidelined due to injuries and medical problems.

The club also wants to be prepared in case Oscar, one of the major signings of the season, really decides to retire.

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