Santos set to complete recruitment with Coutinho as short-term deals target strong finish | OneFootball

Santos are set to complete their second-half recruitment with Philippe Coutinho as the fifth and final addition. According to Globo.com, the playmaker underwent medicals at CT Rei Pelé and could sign hours before facing Cruzeiro if cleared by further tests.

The club have prioritised established free agents, avoiding transfer fees and paying only salaries and signing-on bonuses. Arthur and Everton Cebolinha are tied to the end of the year, while Rodinei has a deal running to the end of 2027.

Lima has also agreed terms until December, on loan from Fluminense. All four are available to Cuca for Saturday's match against Cruzeiro at Vila Belmiro, 9pm Brasília time, in the 27th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Coutinho is viewed as the riskiest move, having not played since February, and unlike the quartet he will need more time to reach match fitness.

The staff had sought another left-back, but that push is unlikely to materialise. Escobar is Cuca's only fully trusted option, with Luan Peres, Davizinho and Rafael Gongaza expected to rotate as cover.

Defence was a concern after Adonís Frías left for Mexican football, yet Willian Arão's consolidation at centre-back, plus midfield reinforcements, has cooled the search for another defender.

With four of the five reinforcements, including the not-yet-signed Coutinho, on short-term deals, the bet is on a strong run-in. Santos also won their Copa Sudamericana quarter-final first leg 2-0 against Atlético-MG and hold the cushion of a draw or a one-goal defeat in Belo Horizonte next Wednesday. Cebolinha and Coutinho can only be registered for a potential semi-final.

Source: Globo.com

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