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Santos secure youth ranks, speed up renewals to avoid losses
Santos has changed its approach in the transfer market and has adopted an aggressive pace to extend the contracts of its main youth academy prospects.
The board’s objective is clear: to prevent the “Meninos da Vila” from earning space and recognition in the first team only to soon leave for free or for lower-than-expected fees to clubs abroad.
Over the last year, Santos’ board secured contract extensions for at least 13 youth players.
The coaching staff and football management have been carrying out individualized monitoring of each young player, designing specific career plans to maximize each one’s performance.
The Latest Targets of This Protective Strategy
The most recent wave of renewals involved players who had been gaining prominence under coach Cuca before the break for the FIFA World Cup:
Miguelito: The Bolivian midfielder had his contract extended until May 2029. Under Cuca, he was moved into a central playmaking role and responded with one goal and two assists in the last four matches.
Gabriel Bontempo, Samuel Pierri and Gustavo Henrique: The trio had been used frequently by the coach, with Gustavo Henrique and Bontempo standing out as they ended the semester as starters.
Robinho Jr.: The forward also renewed his contract and has been going through a tactical adaptation process similar to Miguelito’s, being tested by Cuca as a playmaker.
Long-Term Contracts Secured
In addition to the names above, Santos ensured the stay of a core group from the academy with deals running at least until 2028. The list includes:
Goalkeeper: João Pedro
Center-backs: João Ananias and João Alencar
Left-backs: Rafael Gonzaga and Vinícius Lira
Midfielder: Pepê Fermino
Forwards: Mateus Xavier, Davizinho and David Nogueira
On the other hand, some names from the under-20 squad are still waiting for talks to begin over renewals, such as midfielder Vinícius Fabri, defensive midfielder Nicola Profeta, center-back Marcelo Contreras and forward Fernando Pradella (who recently made his professional debut against Chapecoense).
The Past Traumas That Sounded the Alarm
Santos’ urgency in registering new contracts is justified by bitter sagas experienced this decade:
Kaio Jorge (2021): The club took too long to act, the forward ended up signing a pre-contract with Juventus, and Santos had to accept an immediate sale for just 3 million euros so as not to lose him for free.
Marcos Leonardo (2022): A long and exhausting saga meant that the renewal agreement was only completed five months before the striker became free to sign with another club at no cost.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.
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