Botafogo rush swap with São Paulo to keep Pablo Maia, striker says no | OneFootball

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush…

This famous saying perfectly fits Botafogo's attitude, which, after asking São Paulo on Wednesday (17) for more time to finalize the player exchange that would bring defender Ferraresi and midfielder Pablo Maia to Rio de Janeiro (RJ), following the departure of coach Davide Ancelotti, has now reversed its decision this morning and is trying to speed up the negotiation.

The reason is simple: the club from Rio does not want to risk losing Pablo Maia after getting the green light from the São Paulo team. According to AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, concerned about the negotiation, the agents of the Cotia academy product revealed to São Paulo that they have inquiries from European teams (from Germany, Turkey, and Russia), as well as at least two other major Brazilian teams.

In the quick conversations between the parties throughout this morning, still without a resolution (which increases the drama for both fanbases), some conclusions and certainties have emerged. The main one is that the exchanges will be on loan. The players involved would be transferred for one season, each with a purchase clause established. And here, the best news is for the team from Rio.

Ferraresi is indeed on his way to General Severiano. São Paulo had already accepted Botafogo's offer, and the player is set to move. However, this is the only decision made so far.

Initially, Botafogo inquired about a third name from São Paulo. After being turned down for Ferreirinha, they speculated about midfielder Rodriguinho. São Paulo was fine with it, but the young player's staff, developed in Cotia, did not like it. They prefer to keep him at Morumbi, at least until a European offer arrives (and there are inquiries).

Now, the team from Rio is certain about exchanging only two players with Tricolor. They are trying to please Pablo Maia's agents.

The difficulty lies with São Paulo in attracting players from the black-and-white team. AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has already revealed that of the three names initially speculated by the São Paulo team, two, winger Savarino and midfielder Marlon Freitas, were rejected.

Marlon Freitas was vetoed by Botafogo itself, which plans to renew the contract with its captain. As for Savarino, if he has to leave the team from Rio, he wants to go to Atlético-MG, a club he previously played for and where Jorge Sampaoli, whom he considers a friend, works.

AMT found out that, with an eye on Pablo Maia, Botafogo agreed to let Savarino talk to São Paulo's directors. They might convince him. Negotiations have been ongoing since the morning.

The most desired name by Tricolor, however, is right-back Vitinho. Executive Rui Costa, however, heard from the agents that he wants to wait until the end of the holidays to decide his future. In other words, he wants to wait until January. This is believed to be a strategy, as the staff might be waiting for European inquiries.

To complicate matters further, a name suggested by Botafogo, forward Joaquín Correa, sparked interest, and Costa opened talks with the staff. However, he was told that, at the moment, the Argentine is not interested in playing in São Paulo's capital. A new meeting was scheduled for next week with the player's agents to try to advance the deal and finally unlock the exchange.

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