In a critical moment for São Paulo FC, the club is scrambling to secure the futures of two key players, Marcos Antônio and Ruan Tressoldi, as their loan agreements approach their expiration on June 30, 2025. With the team having recently found some momentum, winning two consecutive matches, the urgency to finalize these arrangements has escalated. The financial implications of retaining these players are significant, with estimates suggesting that São Paulo will need to raise around R$ 50 million to make the deals permanent.
Both Marcos Antônio, on loan from Lazio, and Ruan, from Sassuolo, have made notable contributions to the squad this season. Marcos Antônio has established himself as a regular starter, while Ruan has been gaining valuable experience in defense, particularly in the absence of Arboleda, who is currently sidelined due to injury. The loss of either player would undoubtedly weaken the squad, and the club's management is keenly aware of this reality.
President Julio Casares is personally involved in the negotiations, emphasizing the priority of acquiring both players. According to reports from ESPN, there is a consensus within the club that losing both players would significantly hinder their performance in the ongoing season. The financial burden is considerable, with the acquisition costs reported at approximately R$ 25.5 million for Marcos Antônio and R$ 27 million for Ruan.
However, the club is currently ruling out exercising the purchase options stipulated in their contracts with the Italian clubs. Instead, São Paulo's strategy is to negotiate extensions of their loan agreements for an additional six months, effectively delaying the financial commitment until 2026, when the club anticipates a more favorable cash flow situation.
As discussions unfold, there are indications that both players are open to remaining with the club. They have expressed a desire to continue wearing the famous red, white, and black colors for not just the remainder of this season but potentially for the next three years. This mutual interest could play a crucial role in negotiations with Lazio and Sassuolo.
The situation is further complicated by the need to balance the club's financial health with its competitive ambitions. The total cost for securing both players could pose a challenge, especially since the club is working under the constraints of a salary cap imposed by the FIDC (Fundo de Investimento em Direitos Creditórios) as part of their financial restructuring.
In terms of alternatives, São Paulo is considering several options should negotiations falter. These include extending the loans for both players, purchasing one and renewing the loan for the other, or possibly relinquishing one of the two if financial constraints become too severe. Should it come to that, the decision will be strictly based on technical evaluations from the coaching staff.
As the clock ticks down to the end of the loan agreements, the urgency of the situation is palpable. The club has already initiated conversations with both Lazio and Sassuolo, and these discussions are expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
In the immediate future, São Paulo has crucial matches lined up that could impact their performance and the overall morale of the team. They are set to face Ceará on April 26, 2025, followed by a Copa do Brasil clash against Náutico on April 29, 2025, and another league match against Fortaleza on May 2, 2025. The outcomes of these games could play a pivotal role in shaping the club's strategy going forward.
As São Paulo navigates this complex scenario, fans and stakeholders alike are left wondering whether the club can successfully retain two pivotal players while maintaining financial stability. The next few weeks will be critical in determining the direction of the club and its ambitions for the remainder of the season and beyond.
