Santos players seek answers over image-rights arrears, club ‘not ruling out’ academy sale | OneFootball

GE reports that Santos players met club directors in Cuenca, Ecuador, on Tuesday to seek explanations for delayed payments.

The squad are owed two months of image rights, with the next instalment due on 20 April, which could take arrears to three months. Salaries under CLT were due on Tuesday.

Last year image-rights payments were occasionally late but cleared before reaching three months. The current delay is nearing that threshold, unsettling the group.

The club’s cash flow is tight until mid-year and, with no immediate income expected, the board do not rule out selling an academy player to balance the books. In January, left-back Souza moved to Tottenham for about 15 million euros.

Internally, funds that might have reduced arrears were redirected to settle a fee owed to Arouca for defender João Basso, affecting cash flow. The club had faced a transfer ban over that debt. It is the first meeting in the current administration between players and the board to discuss delayed pay.

The 2025 accounts show total debt close to R$ 1 billion, with about R$ 470 million due in the short term. Longer-term obligations and pre-committed revenues further limit room to manoeuvre.

Source: Diario Do Peixe