São Paulo plot surprise return for former defensive leader | OneFootball

São Paulo have set their sights on former centre-back Rafael Tolói as a potential summer acquisition, with the 34-year-old now a free agent after a decade at Atalanta, according to Arquibancada Tricolor. The club’s intent is clear: strengthen the defence without paying a transfer fee, focusing on free agents or players potentially available on loan.

Tolói, who left São Paulo for Atalanta back in 2015, has drawn interest from both Italian and Saudi clubs but has not closed the door on a return to Brazil. Discussions remain in the exploratory stage, with São Paulo’s administrative board having communicated their interest to the defender’s representatives, but negotiations are yet to commence.

The central defender enjoyed three solid seasons with São Paulo earlier in his career, amassing 128 appearances and registering six goals. His experience and leadership qualities could be especially valuable as the club looks to deepen its squad for an intense domestic and continental calendar.

Director of football Carlos Belmonte has spoken recently about São Paulo’s ongoing search for defensive reinforcements, also referencing efforts to retain Ruan Tressoldi, who has now returned to Sassuolo following his loan. Belmonte noted that the club’s initial hope was to extend Ruan’s stay through to the end of 2026, though he acknowledged this appears unlikely due to resistance from Sassuolo and competing interest in the player.

With the possibility of Ruan’s return looking remote, the pursuit of Tolói gains additional significance. São Paulo must manage both financial constraints and the demands of a busy fixture list. Tolói’s free-agent status represents an opportunity for the club to add both depth and experience without incurring transfer costs.

While other defensive options are being assessed, including domestic and international profiles, Tolói’s background in Serie A and his history at MorumBIS offer a compelling solution as São Paulo navigate the second half of the season and the knockout stages of continental competition.

(Information from Arquibancada Tricolor)

Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images