Transfer latest from Brazil – July 2012

Diego Forlán signed for Inter

With the European transfer window opening, there has been a flurry of transfer activity in Brazil. The rumour mill has also been going into overdrive.

Clarence Seedorf signed for Botafogo in a deal described by the club as the biggest signing of a foreign player by a Brazilian club. I am in Rio at the moment and went down to see him being presented to the fans, as well as the Botafogo v Bahia match.

Internacional (from Porto Alegre) somewhat stole the show from Botafogo by announcing the signing of Diego Forlán – the best player at the last World Cup – to their fans on the same day. He has signed from Inter Milan. He is expected to earn R$450,000 per month (about GBP 33,000 per week). Seedorf is likely to earn R$700,000 per month (or GBP 51,000 per week). For comparison purposes, Neymar earns about GBP 110,000 per week at Santos. All three deals illustrate that Brazil’s economic might is on the rise and Brazilian club football, fortunately and finally, is starting to get its act into gear professionally (Why shouldn’t the world’s 7th largest economy and country that has won 5 World Cups have a league to rival the best in Europe?).

Corinthians face a battle to keep their Libertadores winning team together for the World Club Cup in December. The Libertadores Champions have already lost their excellent centre back Leandro Castán to Roma. Defensive midfielder Paulinho is wanted by Inter Milan and they are ready to offer 7 million Euros. Corinthians are holding out for 8 or 9 million. Corinthians coach Tite would like to keep the player but admits he could leave if the price is right. Willian has just been sold to Metalist.

Many readers have asked me about Lucas Moura going to Manchester United. Firstly, nobody has mentioned Manchester United in Brazil so I think this story has been fabricated by the British press who are probably bored. I really don’t see where he would fit into United’s team either. He is a wide player and United already have Nani, Young and Valencia. Another one? Just because Lucas is Brazilian, young and expensive doesn’t mean he is the next big thing in World football.

He has been around for a few years in Brazil and seems to have gone off the boil a bit. He reminds me a lot of Theo Walcott – very quick, direct, a good dribbler and good with the ball at his feet. But he is not a play-maker! I think Lucas is a bit better than Walcott and does have that little extra Brazilian magic. The English game may suit Lucas but I dont think that is the sort of player United need at the moment.

The problem is that the faults between Walcott and Lucas are all too similar. Lucas plays with his head down and wastes some good opportunities. He often makes the wrong choice with the final ball or final shot. He is a little too greedy sometimes too and hasnt cemented a place in the seleção or even Brazils Olympic team for that matter. Despite that he has been to see the club headquarters and training facilities of both Inter Milan and Real Madrid. São Paulo are said to be ready to lower their 35m Euro asking price so a deal could be done.

In case you didnt see it last year, here is my list of the top 10 youngsters playing in Brazil and what I thought of them at the time.

Elano (ex-Manchester City) has signed for Gremio from Santos. Classy midfielder Oscar could be on his way to either Tottenham or Chelsea. Unlike the Lucas Moura to United one, this story has come from Brazil as well so looks a lot more likely. Ganso who is wasting his talent at Santos for some reason could be Oscar’s replacement at Internacional. I would like to see Ganso leave Santos, it could just be the change of air that his career needs. At Inter he would link up with his former Santos coach Dorival Junior. Inter are also looking to re-sign Nilmar from Villarreal and have been negotiation that one for some time now.

Fellipe Bastos and Eder Luis could both leave Vasco for Palmeiras. Obina, one of the world’s worst strikers could leave his club in China to re-join Palmeiras.

Flamengo are after Diego (Atletico Madrid) or Riquelme (Boca Juniors). Cruzeiro are also after Riquelme. Fluminense have made an offer to Conca’s club in China, which was rejected, after Conca handed in a transfer request last week.

Finally, in the UCF, Anderson Silva kicked the loud and arrogant American fighter Chael Sonnen’s butt. Sonnen was mouthing it off before the game and caused quite a lot of offence to Brazilians who now hate him. Anderson Silva is a hard-core Corinthians fan and sponsored by Corinthians so Sonnen decided to align himself with Palmeiras just to antagonize his opponent. Not great publicity for Palmeiras since Sonnen lost the fight and the Brazilian public hate him.

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6 thoughts on “Transfer latest from Brazil – July 2012

  1. I advise that let Luca Moura join with Man utd so as to meet with different challenges which will enable him to perform the best and becoming among the world best players.

  2. I would say that for Lucas Moura to go to a club like Man U or elsewhere in europe could actually take away some of his selfish tendencies, I don’t think you can compare him to Walcott. He is 100x more skilful than Walcott and shows far more promise at the right european club. If he were to go to Manchester United or (unlikely but) Barcelona he would learn how to play a less selfish game, the skills he has and a very decent finishing ability along with the potential for some great long shots he already has and a euro club could develop his passing and awareness.

    this vid perfect example of how much better he is to Walcott, show me a vid of Walcott doing this!! http://youtu.be/bL4_xKrs2Xw

    • Well, it looks like United are after Lucas after all. They have had a 33m Euro bid rejected today. My friends who are São Paulo fans are not happy – they think the club should have taken the money and that Lucas is over-rated. The player’s representatives are also said to be upset that such a big bid was turned down.

  3. Even though I would love Brazil to have and keep talent like Lucas, Neymar, Ganso, Oscar etc I think its important for the national squad to get more experience in foreign leagues! Very few have it and come World Cup time they will have only been tested against defences in Brazil which although have some talents don’t really possess the Puyols Piques Albas and Ramos’!! experience in higher leagues will strengthen the National team!

    • Think I would agree with you on that Jonathan. Leaving too soon is bad, but staying too long can also be bad for them in my opinion.

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