The negotiations between Ceará SC and Corinthians-SP are making significant strides toward securing the loan of center-forward Pedro Raul. A provisional agreement indicates he will be loaned to Vozão until the end of the year, with Ceará assuming responsibility for 70% of his salary. This information was reported by Pedro Ramiro of Rádio Bandeirantes de São Paulo.
With the aim of bolstering their offensive lineup for the season's second half, the Ceará club is eager to finalize the remaining details with Corinthians for Pedro Raul. The deal has largely progressed to the point where the São Paulo-based club is prepared to grant the loan, allowing the player to don the Ceará colors.
According to Ramiro, the arrangements are moving forward with specific terms: the Corinthians outfit will release Pedro Raul to Ceará under the loan agreement until the end of the season. Financially, the arrangement stipulates Ceará will bear 70% of Pedro Raul's wages. This arrangement sees the center-forward costing around R$ 750,000 per month, meaning Corinthians will continue to cover approximately R$ 225,000, saving nearly R$ 525,000 monthly on Raul’s salary.
This transaction is time-sensitive, as the first transfer window for Brazilian football is set to close next Friday, February 28. With this deadline fast approaching, Ceará's management is scrambling to finalize the deal as rapidly as possible.
While the loan to Ceará aids both clubs, it also paves the way for Pedro Raul to transform his current playing situation. Since transferring to the Corinthians from Toluca, Mexico, at the beginning of 2024 for approximately R$ 25 million, Raul has only recorded four goals and one assist across 38 games, underperforming as expected. He began his tenure with promise, netting the winning goal against RB Bragantino but has since lost his foothold as a starter.
Pedro Raul's position has become increasingly precarious, as he quickly fell behind fellow striker Yuri Alberto under coach Ramón Díaz's strategies. This situation prompted rumblings about his departure, and the current agreement appears to be more favorable, positioning him for more minutes on the pitch—a prospect many hope will reignite his productivity.
The series of transfers between the two clubs has seen other players like Pedro Henrique and Matheus Araújo recently leave Corinthians under similar circumstances, which adds familiarity between the clubs and enhances the potential for such negotiations.
This loan agreement, pending the completion of medical examinations, marks another chapter of Pedro Raul's career as he voyages to Ceará. The expectation from the Ceará coaching staff is clear: they hope Raul's merging with the team will augment their offensive capabilities, especially since they have been struggling to solidify their attacking front.
Raul's impressive prior season with Goiás, where he scored 26 goals over 50 matches, stands as a high benchmark for what he can achieve if he regains his form. Adaptability could be key here, and manager Léo Condé is expected to leverage Raul’s aerial abilities and central positioning within the offensive framework.
Looking forward, the impacts of Raul's move could be extensive. For Ceará, acquiring him for less than their own market value could either lead to potential permanent acquisition at the end of the loan or elevatory performances propelling them up the table. For Raul, it presents the opportunity to rejuvenate his career, reestablishing his form and confidence to possibly return to Corinthians with newfound vigor.
All eyes will be on Pedro Raul as he transitions to Ceará, and the footballing world will closely watch if this strategic move opens the doors for renewed success, both for the player and the team alike.