Santos show interest in São Paulo defender Arboleda but talks yet to progress | OneFootball

Santos have shown interest in São Paulo centre-back Arboleda in recent days, but talks between the clubs have not advanced. The 34-year-old is training away from the squad and his future at Morumbis is uncertain.

Battling near the bottom of the Brasileirão, Santos are seeking reinforcements during the World Cup break. According to Globo.com, Cuca currently counts on Lucas Veríssimo, Luan Peres, Adonis Frías and João Ananias, with Zé Ivaldo out of the plans.

Arboleda has been working separately since the start of last month after spending almost 30 days in Ecuador without justification. São Paulo have looked for interested clubs and only Vitória made an offer, which did not progress.

The defender has repeatedly emailed to request reintegration, while the club says he is isolated due to his absence and because he is not yet fit to match the group’s pace.

Efforts to negotiate his exit have also been complicated by the stance of his agent, Pepe Chamorro, who is said to have tax debts in Brazil and claims the club failed to withhold those taxes in recent years. São Paulo maintain they track payments to Chamorro and argue he should have handled the tax, and the agent wants the club to assume the debt before any agreement.

While separated, Arboleda has again travelled to Ecuador, this time with the club aware of his plans after his previous unnotified month away. São Paulo are not considering reintegrating him, a board decision taken before Dorival’s arrival.

Source: Globo.com