Author: Monojit Mandal
Attacking midfielder Marinho, who has just been barred by Flamengo, is in negotiations with São Paulo. The first communication between São Paulo and Marinho took place last week and, despite the unexpected increase in interest, the Rubro-Negro board is unlikely to oppose a deal.
As the transfer market is closed and will only reopen for new registrations on July 2, São Paulo see Marinho, who turns 33, as a viable option to strengthen the team. The club has reached a financial agreement that is in line with the Tricolor board’s objectives for the next transfer window.
Venê Casagrande’s channel broke the news of these negotiations, and Itatiaia later confirmed it. Itatiaia claims that Marinho was sacked from Flamengo after a heated argument with a member of the coaching staff, which also angered coach Jorge Sampaoli and the Flamengo board. The discussion was caused by the fact that Marinho didn’t want to go to Chile because of an injury. He will also train independently of his teammates and will not be present at Thursday’s Fla-Flu game in the Copa do Brasil.
Marinho was bought by Flamengo for R$6.4 million last year, but underperformed. The club would save almost R$4 million if it released him immediately as planned, without taking into account his salary and bonuses until December.
Flamengo do not intend to prevent Marinho from leaving without compensation, as they are aware that he can sign a pre-contract with another club from July. The club wants to find the best way to close the deal without having to pay the outstanding debts.
Tricolor Paulista are willing to pay all the fees associated with a loan transfer to São Paulo until December. Flamengo has given permission for the parties to begin talks.
Tuesday’s meeting between Marinho and the Flamengo board could result in a reunion with the coach who helped him win the Libertadores with Flamengo in the 2022 campaign. The experienced striker would find a less crowded team at São Paulo, which would give him more opportunities to play. He is currently Dorival Júnior’s reserve. In response to a question about Marinho, the coach said that he was “one of several names being discussed”.