São Paulo target Mirassol and Fortaleza defenders in market search | OneFootball

In addition to a second forward, capable of partnering with the center forward with mobility, a defender also seems to be part of São Paulo’s plans for its squad in 2026.

At least that’s the indication given by the inquiries the club has made in the market so far this week.

AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned that three names for the defense have been sounded out by football executive Rui Costa. None of these have received an official proposal, it’s important to highlight.

The most talked-about name among São Paulo fans is Jemmes, from Mirassol, whose speculation has already been leaking out. Present in 37 of Mirassol’s 38 matches in this year’s Brasileirão, the defender finished the championship with increased value and had 60% of his economic rights recently acquired by the countryside club for R$ 4 million. He had been playing on loan.

The problem for São Paulo is the usual one: lack of money. Mirassol has let potential suitors for Jemmes know that they will only start negotiations if the talks are in the region of 5 million euros (about R$ 31 million). In other words, much higher than what Tricolor intends (and can afford) to spend…

Another option discussed internally is Gaston Ávila. The 24-year-old Argentine is a suggestion from coach Hernán Crespo, who is interested in the player’s quality on the left side (and his ability to play as a full-back).

Ávila belongs to Ajax, in the Netherlands, with whom he has a contract until June 2028, but he played last season on loan at relegated Fortaleza, featuring in 34 matches throughout the year.

There is a positive signal from the Dutch to discuss a one-year loan, which pleases São Paulo, who would be negotiating the value of a clause for a permanent purchase in case certain targets are met.

Lastly, there’s a name already well-known to São Paulo fans: Gustavo Medina. The player has once again been offered by businessman Giuliano Bertolucci, owner of Ferroviária, where the 24-year-old defender plays.

This case is more complicated. Medina’s signing was on track in the middle of the year, when Luis Zubeldía, who had approved his arrival, left. Crespo analyzed the name and judged that he didn’t have the necessary quality to fit into his three-defender system.

In other words, to put it simply, it doesn’t seem like the player did much in the rest of the year to make the Tricolor manager change his mind. But internally at São Paulo, the name is seen as a market opportunity.

The search for a defender shows that it’s unlikely all the current squad’s players in that position will remain. As AMT has already revealed, Arboleda’s agent, for example, is traveling in search of offers for the Ecuadorian.

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