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Santos has decided to end negotiations to hire Jorge Sampaoli as its new coach . Despite being the favorite to replace Cléber Xavier, who was fired after the 6-0 thrashing by Vasco, Santos failed to meet the Argentine's demands.

The main obstacle was the list of reinforcements requested by the coach, which even included a starter from Sevilla, Spain. The board argued that current financial conditions would not allow for such a large investment , making the deal unfeasible.

SAMPAOLI'S DEMANDS

In addition to seeking high-profile signings, Sampaoli reportedly also requested the release of youngsters Robinho Jr. and Gabriel Bontempo, recently integrated into the squad and well-regarded by fans. The coach's stance widened the gap between his ideas and the board's planning.

Negotiations made progress on salary points and even on the appointment of reinforcements , but no consensus was reached. The Argentine coach, who had a turbulent time with the Mais Querido in 2023, ended up being discarded by the Santos leadership.

SAMPAOLI HAD A PASSAGE AT FLAMENGO

While in charge of Flamengo in 2023, Sampaoli finished runner-up in the Copa do Brasil, but suffered significant burnout after an early elimination from the Copa Libertadores against Paraguayan club Olimpia. Recent history also weighed on internal assessments.

Flamengo confirmed this week Betano as its new master sponsor in a contract valid until December 2028. The agreement, considered historic, could generate up to R$932.5 million for the Rio de Janeiro club's coffers.

Thus, it consolidates itself as one of the largest commercial agreements ever made in Brazilian football. In addition to the financial contribution, the partnership aims to strengthen the brand's image nationwide through fan activations and sports marketing initiatives.

BETANO ASSESSES THE POSSIBILITY

According to the newspaper O Globo, Betano is also considering the possibility of bringing a major international star to the squad. The news excited fans, who began suggesting prominent names from European football.

Among the most frequently mentioned is Paulo Dybala, an Argentine striker who plays for Roma in Italy. The player has recently been linked with a move to Grêmio and his future is being monitored by several clubs.

DYBALA'S SALARY VALUES

The Argentine star's contract with Roma runs until June 2026 and has a release clause estimated at €12 million, approximately R$76.6 million . Although the fee is considered affordable for the market, the obstacle lies in the player's salary.

Dybala currently earns €8 million per year, equivalent to R$51.1 million . This amount represents approximately R$4.2 million per month, even exceeding the salaries of Neymar at Santos and Memphis Depay at Corinthians.

Lucas Beltrán, a Flamengo target this transfer window , is close to finalizing his move to CSKA Moscow in Russia. With no place at Fiorentina, the 24-year-old striker opted to remain in European football and expressed no interest in returning to South America. According to Gazeta do Urubu, negotiations are advanced, and a deal with the Russian club could be finalized soon.

The Italian press revealed that CSKA presented a proposal of €12 million fixed, plus €3 million in goal bonuses , totaling €15 million. The amount is equivalent to the offer already made by Rubro-Negro, who had reached an agreement with Fiorentina.

Despite this, the operation was ultimately vetoed by Beltrán himself, who preferred to remain in Europe . The striker's family also wanted him to remain in Italy, which influenced the decision.

ZENIT EMERGED AS AN INTERESTED PARTY

Earlier this month, journalist Marco Giordano noted that Zenit was monitoring the player's situation. The Russian club, which recently signed Gerson after his departure from Mengão , has expressed interest in moving forward, but CSKA is closest to concluding the deal. Given this scenario, Beltrán's future is likely to be decided soon, and it's unlikely to be in South American football.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN FIORENTINA AND RUBRO-NEGRO

The deal between Fiorentina and Rubro-Negro was already in place. The Italian press reported that the Brazilians' offer included 12 million euros , plus another 3 million in bonuses for goals, totaling approximately 95 million reais.