São Paulo negotiate with African, end search for striker | OneFootball

Aboubakar celebrates a goal scored against Brazil in the last World Cup (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

RAFAEL EMILIANO@rafaelemilianoo

After just under a week of scouting potential strikers to strengthen their squad, lacking in the position since André Silva's injury (who is expected to miss the rest of the season, along with Calleri and Ryan Francisco, other options for the sector), São Paulo has decided to end the search for a name in the transfer market.

As AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR found out, after the failed negotiation for Marcos Leonardo, the Morumbi club saw an increase in the approach from agents offering veterans currently without a contract (i.e., unemployed), the only possibility to strengthen the team after the transfer window closed.

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The problems, evaluated in internal meetings with coach Hernán Crespo, are two: the time needed for these players to get physically fit and, most importantly, their cost.

The first option evaluated (and indeed discarded) was Diego Costa. The 36-year-old Brazilian naturalized Spaniard has not played since the beginning of the year when he did not renew his contract with Grêmio. Of all the agent offers, it is the cheapest. But it is internally assessed that he could take up to a month to be in top physical shape. In other words, the Tricolor could not count on him at a good level for the two quarter-final matches of the Copa Libertadores against LDU, from Ecuador.

In practice, this is of little interest to São Paulo, whose plan to hire a striker is primarily to provide Crespo with a higher quality option than Dinenno, the only remaining player in the position in the squad.

Two other names were discussed more thoroughly internally at the Morumbi club. Crespo liked the suggestion of the Spaniard Paco Alcácer. At 32, he has been free on the market since July when he decided not to renew his contract with Sharjah, from the United Arab Emirates.

Having played for Valencia, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal, and the Spanish national team, Alcácer has the admiration of the São Paulo coach, but the financial demands were discouraging. The Spaniard does not agree to open talks for less than R$ 1 million, excluding signing bonuses and other incentives, and does not want to sign a contract for less than one season.

The understanding at Tricolor is that it is not worth signing a player who is inactive and demands a high salary for more than six months, as theoretically, next year, the injured players will all be available. This, of course, also disregarding the fact that finances are tight at Morumbi.

The last option offered, and the favorite of the board, was Aboubakar. The 33-year-old Cameroonian even hired a Brazilian agent to represent him here. He wants to play in Brazil. The management believes he is the most ready to play among the three. With immense physical strength, he would fit perfectly into Crespo's scheme, they say. And the fact that he speaks fluent Portuguese (having played for years and being an idol at Portuguese club Porto) would allow for quick adaptation.

The problem here is, guess what, money. Aboubakar, who has already scored a winning goal against the Brazilian National Team in a World Cup, initially asked for more than R$ 1 million, accepting a 'risk' agreement until December. São Paulo refused. And a counterproposal was made. The African is willing to receive approximately R$ 800,000, provided that Tricolor covers the tax payments. He also requests perks, such as a driver, cook, and armored car.

In practice, the salary savings offer little help, as the taxation would raise the expenses with Aboubakar to around R$ 1.5 million. Besides the risk of generating some internal jealousy, as team leaders like Lucas and Oscar do not have the same perks.

With no way out, as the registrations for the Libertadores close on Friday (12), the tendency is for São Paulo to end the negotiations and continue its fight for the continental title with what it has in the squad. Facing financial difficulties and with a spending cap implemented by the investment fund assisting in managing the accounts, Tricolor cannot spend more than planned.

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