São Paulo open to sell, Arboleda’s camp rebuffs Brazilian clubs | OneFootball

As soon as the news broke that Arboleda’s agents had traveled in search of offers for the defender abroad, the domestic Brazilian market also began to inquire about the 34-year-old player.

According to AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, Athletico-PR and Atlético-MG made formal inquiries about the Ecuadorian.

From the Morumbi club’s side, the response was ambiguous. No one wants to let go of Arboleda, but his high salary could facilitate a departure if a good opportunity arises for both parties.

The issue lies with the player. Both the Paraná and Minas Gerais clubs received the same answer: the defender’s priority, should he leave Tricolor, is to play for a team outside the country.

Arboleda is under contract with São Paulo until the end of 2027. He is the longest-serving player in the squad—having been at the club since June 2017—and has won three titles, scored 24 goals, provided five assists, and is already the fourth foreigner with the most appearances in São Paulo’s history, behind only the Argentine José Poy (525) and Uruguayans Dario Pereyra (453) and Pedro Rocha (392).

Leaving São Paulo is not necessarily a new prospect for Arboleda. The defender, for example, went through a long period of negotiations over his last contract renewal, even rejecting the first two offers made by Tricolor, and during that time was approached by Cruzeiro and flirted with Corinthians. Yes, with the rival. The Ecuadorian listened to the wild proposal from their then-president, Augusto Melo, who dreamed of taking an idol from an arch-enemy. But, in reality, he only used this to pressure the board to extend his contract.

The São Paulo board does not officially confirm it, but behind the scenes, they are working with the possibility that some of the squad’s veterans may end up leaving, in order to reduce the wage bill and refresh the group. The first wish comes from the directors. The second, from Hernán Crespo.

As revealed by AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, perhaps aware of the club’s plan for their clients, the agents of defender Arboleda and forward Luciano are currently traveling in hopes of securing an offer for the players to leave Tricolor in 2026. Preferably, a lucrative contract, especially with a team from the Arab world. Club sources counter this, saying that the pair, who have already become something of São Paulo icons, are not being put up for sale. But the facts were confirmed by three people close to the two players, one of whom is very close to the number 10.

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