Caio Paulista, the 26-year-old left-back currently struggling for game time at Palmeiras, seems poised for a potential transfer to Atlético-MG as negotiations appear to be heating up. With the player's situation under scrutiny since he became the third-choice left-back behind Joaquín Piquerez and Vanderlan, both clubs may be considering this move beneficial.
Palmeiras has had a tumultuous season start, with Caio having only been featured twice in 2025, making him one of the least utilized players on the roster. His notable fall from grace follows the return of Piquerez, who previously missed six months due to injury. Given the competition and the recent performance records, Caio's participation has dwindled significantly; he participated more frequently last season, completing 39 matches before accepting his current circumstance.
The interest from Atlético-MG stems from their search for additional strength on the left flank, particularly to bear the load should anything happen to their primary left-back, Guilherme Arana. According to reports from ESPN, there has been mutual interest with talks still in their infancy over the past few days. Discussions have primarily revolved around Caio's adaptability, allowing him to also function as a left midfielder, which aligns with the tactical preferences of Atlético's manager, Cuca.
"Caio would be evaluated as an optimal backup for Arana," shared well-informed sources. With right places existing for realigning their squad, Caio's arrival may potentially offer added versatility and depth to the Galo’s backline.
Palmeiras, on the other hand, seems open to the possibility of releasing the player, with club insiders confirming they are willing to entertain offers. This flexibility is likely due to their strategic repositioning and their building roster of talents after losing other key players earlier this season.
Caio's potential exit highlights the shifting dynamics within Palmeiras, who parted ways with several significant players recently, and continue to face challenges integrating their current stars. Reportedly, Palmeiras has not received any formal offers for Caio yet, but with negotiations underway, things could evolve quickly. The club is particularly aware of its decreasing options at the back, retaining either Piquerez or Vanderlan could limit their tactical progress.
With some forecasts estimating possible deals near €8 million (approximately R$ 48 million), this would mark another substantial transfer between the two clubs after multiple exchanges concluded recently. Notably, Atlético seeks to bolster their squad's lateral options after acquiring players like Gabriel Menino and Patrick from Palmeiras, positioning them favorably within the competitive ranks.
Caio, who joined Palmeiras from Fluminense for around $3.8 million at the end of 2023, faced high expectations due to his early career promise. Back when he played for São Paulo, he displayed exceptional skill, earning praise with each match. But since moving to his current team, the spotlight has not shone as brightly on him, leading to concerns about his future should this trend continue.
Cao's contract with Palmeiras runs until the end of 2028, providing the club certain leverage with regard to any potential sales. On one hand, Caio's presence contributes to the depth, but with the growing distance from regular starting roles, both parties may find it advantageous to explore new opportunities.
The reality remains, though, injuries and other transitions within the roster can alter perceptions quickly and create openings for players like Caio to redefine their roles elsewhere, ensuring they are maximally utilized.
While Atlético-MG works diligently to finalize the approach to acquire Caio, all eyes will remain on both the player’s response and the organizational strategies at Palmeiras. The coming days could prove decisive as negotiations develop, adding another intriguing chapter to the continuing saga of player transfers during this volatile period of the Brazilian football market.