Why Santos are accelerating renewals for academy graduates | OneFootball

Santos are fast-tracking renewals for academy players breaking into the seniors to protect assets and avoid losing them for nothing.

According to Globo.com, the club have renewed more than 10 deals in the past year, most recently for Miguelito, Gabriel Bontempo, Samuel Pierri, Gustavo Henrique and Robinho Jr.

All five have featured more under coach Cuca in the weeks before the World Cup pause. Gustavo Henrique, Miguelito and Bontempo started the most recent matches.

Others to sign new terms include goalkeeper João Pedro, centre-backs João Ananias and João Alencar, left-backs Rafael Gonzaga and Vinícius Lira, midfielder Pepê Fermino, and forwards Mateus Xavier, Davizinho and David Nogueira.

Every renewed deal runs at least until 2028. Some under-20s are yet to extend, notably Vinícius Fabri, Nicola Profeta, Marcelo Contreras and Fernando Pradella, who debuted for the seniors this year against Chapecoense.

Santos are also tailoring individual development plans, with each player monitored by football directors and coaching staff. Miguelito has impressed as a playmaker with one goal and two assists in the last four games. Cuca is trying Robinho Jr in a similar role.

The stance follows issues this decade, notably forward Kaio Jorge in 2021. His renewal dragged, he signed a pre-contract with Juventus, then left immediately for three million euros, about R$ 17.6 million at the current rate. In the same season, Marcos Leonardo renewed only in January 2022, around five months before he could have signed a pre-contract elsewhere.

Source: Globo.com