São Paulo, Luiz Gustavo in talks on veteran’s contract renewal | OneFootball

The São Paulo board and midfielder Luiz Gustavo began talks last week to decide whether or not to renew the contract of the 38-year-old veteran, which runs until the end of this year.

The information was obtained exclusively by AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR from sources within the top ranks of São Paulo football management.

Favored to be the first to leave the club ever since he spent a long time sidelined after being diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism, Luiz Gustavo has a powerful ally for his renewal: coach Hernán Crespo.

Since returning to Morumbi in June, Crespo has always emphasized that he wanted to use Luiz Gustavo as a center-back, just as the veteran played in his final days in European football and also in Asia, where he was before joining Tricolor.

Well, the real opportunity to see Luiz Gustavo in this position came in the match against Fortaleza at the start of the month, when a series of injuries and suspensions led Crespo to field him as an improvised center-back alongside another midfielder, Negrucci. Both performed well.

Luiz Gustavo took to the field for the first time since recovering from pulmonary thromboembolism, which was diagnosed on April 5.

Since then, he has undergone a strict medical protocol, which included rest, medication, and a gradual return to training. And after being listed for two matches where he stayed on the bench, he completed 50 appearances for the Morumbi club with a more than solid performance, even when improvised in defense.

He didn't lose a single aerial duel in the match (winning all three of his attempts) and made 14 defensive actions, committing no fouls.

At Crespo's request, who wants to keep the veteran not only because he considers him technically skilled and useful to the squad, but also as an example to the younger players and a leader in the group, Tricolor has decided that perhaps it is better for him to stay.

Now, it remains to convince Luiz Gustavo.

According to the report, the veteran is under family pressure to end his career, even though he feels well and supported by São Paulo. The player told people close to him how moved he was by the support he received from the fans during his absence due to illness.

Also according to what was told to AMT, the initial talks are for an extension of the contract by at least three months, solely for the Campeonato Paulista, a period that pleases both the club and Luiz Gustavo, who would thus be able to repay Tricolor’s support during one of the most difficult moments of his life.

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