Midfielder Caio Alexandre, currently playing in the Brazilian Série A for Fortaleza, is in the spotlight due to speculation about a possible transfer to Palmeiras next season.
At 24 years old, the player, revealed by Botafogo, still belongs to the Vancouver Whitecaps, which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The situation, however, presents some challenges. Fortaleza will likely exercise its option and priority to purchase Caio Alexandre from the Vancouver Whitecaps, from Canada, for an amount valued at 2.5 million dollars (around R$12.2 million), corresponding to 50% of the player’s rights. This means that Palmeiras must negotiate the midfielder’s release with the Ceará club thereafter to sign the player.
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According to information gathered by the Território MLS report, Fortaleza seeks to receive around 10 million dollars (approximately R$49.04 million) for the transfer of Caio Alexandre. However, Palmeiras, at least so far, is not willing to pay this amount. It is worth mentioning that John Textor’s Botafogo, the player’s discovery club, owns 40% of the athlete’s rights and, therefore, is entitled to part of the compensation.
The athlete’s ascension has been promising since beginning to play professionally just a few years back. He became a starter for Botafogo in 2020 and moved to MLS in 2021, but suffered an injury, making his minutes very limited during his time in the North American league.
In 2023, the Fortaleza midfielder already participated in 62 games, scoring five goals and providing six assists.
This Sunday, the 26th, the president of Palmeiras, Leila Pereira, was at Arena Castelão, in Ceará where Palmeiras drew with Fortaleza. In one of the boxes, she met with Marcelo Paz, Fortaleza’s representative. In addition to the formalities, the meeting served to advance negotiations for the transfer of Caio Alexandre, a request expressed by coach Abel Ferreira for the 2024 season.
To facilitate negotiations, there is information that Palmeiras is considering involving striker Breno Lopes in the mix. Breno, known as the hero of the 2020 Libertadores title, is a player requested by coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda a few windows ago and became a starter under the command of Abel Ferreira in the final stretch of the Brasileirão.
When contacted by the Território MLS report, the Vancouver Whitecaps communications department stated that it does not have details about Caio Alexandre’s situation, clarifying that the player remains on loan to Fortaleza until the end of the year. The uncertainty surrounding the negotiation adds suspense to the outcome of this possible transfer in the Brazilian football market.
Translation: Celso Oliveira
Cover: Vancouver Whitecaps / X