Sidelined, youth centre-back backed by Dorival eyes move abroad | OneFootball

Center-back Matheus Belém, 23, is close to sealing his departure from São Paulo.

Out of the coaching staff’s plans and training at alternative hours at the Barra Funda training center, the defender is in advanced talks to join FK Qabala, a club in Azerbaijan’s top division.

The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming days.

Given that the player is under contract with Tricolor only until December 2026 and has already expressed his intention not to renew, São Paulo’s board is considering releasing him immediately without a transfer fee.

In return, the Morumbi hierarchy is demanding to keep a percentage of the player’s economic rights, aiming to profit from any future negotiations on the international market.

International offers and the situation at the club

The defender’s representatives also received inquiries and formal offers from teams in Kazakhstan and Portugal’s second division. However, the sporting project and financial terms presented by the Azerbaijanis attracted the player, putting FK Qabala ahead in the race.

A product of Cotia, Matheus Belém has not managed to establish consistency or earn regular minutes in the senior squad. During the current season, the young center-back was reinstated after a loan spell at Camboriú, from Santa Catarina, but lost space in the rotation and was reassigned to the group of players who train separately.

He has made only three appearances for the club since 2023, when he was promoted to the senior team by coach Dorival Júnior. But he has not played again in the tricolor shirt since that season.

The defender’s imminent departure helps São Paulo in its squad overhaul process and in adjusting the wage bill during this transfer window.

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