Decisive call and ex-players' backing saw Palmeiras secure Arias | OneFootball

Palmeiras agreed a €25 million deal for Jhon Arias after a decisive video call on Monday.

According to Globo.com, football director Anderson Barros, alongside president Leila Pereira, spoke with Arias and his wife Alejandra, stressing the club’s project and facilities to keep him at peak level before the World Cup while aware Fluminense were urging him not to accept. Barros also connected the Colombian with compatriots and former Palmeiras players Eduard Atuesta and Richard Ríos, who endorsed the environment. Coming from Wolverhampton, bottom of the Premier League, Arias was given a clear picture of the move.

Palmeiras had pursued Arias since his Fluminense spell, though then-president Mario Bittencourt refused to sell domestically. Wolverhampton signed him in July, and when Barros checked in December about a return, Arias’s camp preferred to stay in Europe. As Wolves struggled and Europe’s windows neared closure, Palmeiras kept talks warm.

Flamengo bid €22 million in January, which Arias declined due to his history at Fluminense. Palmeiras then tabled €25 million, around R$ 154 million, on Sunday, triggering a three-day period for Fluminense to match under their clause. They reached €20 million, and on Thursday Palmeiras got the green light to finalise, with the signing announced on Saturday.

Arias has agreed a contract until December 2029 and is preparing his move, with travel to Brazil expected next week. He arrives as a major addition and the club’s second most expensive signing, behind Vitor Roque. Ríos publicly wished him happiness, called the club a family and offered support if needed.

Source: Globo.com