Santos face race to pay Monaco and avoid transfer ban | OneFootball

Santos are racing to find funds to pay Monaco by 3 July or risk a transfer ban that would block new registrations.

The club owe 2,032,876.71 euros, about R$ 12.1 million, stemming from the July 2023 signing of midfielder Jean Lucas. The deal was worth 6 million dollars and only two instalments were settled, with the final payment, due in January 2025, still outstanding.

Monaco took the case to FIFA in May 2025 and the ruling went against Santos. An appeal to CAS was rejected, and on 20 May the court gave 45 days to pay, setting a deadline of 3 July.

“It always worries us and we are trying our utmost to avoid it. It did not happen because Santos showed good faith by making the second payment in July 2024, then another instalment fell due in January 2025 and that made finances difficult. We are talking, maybe that is why a transfer ban has not yet happened, given the relationship between the clubs. The finance department must plan and resources that were a priority for routine payments may have to be diverted to settle these commitments,” said president Marcelo Teixeira, speaking to Globo Esporte.

With the threat hanging over them, Santos have kept a low profile in the market. The club also have wage arrears and are working to bring them up to date to avoid employment claims.

Source: Diario Do Peixe