Santos manager Oswaldo de Oliveira has warned fans not to expect former midfilder Diego to sign in January following the news that Walter Montillo is likely to depart Peixe.
Montillo is the current attacking midfielder and holder of the number 10 shirt at Santos but is expected to transfer to Shandong Luneng over the next few days.
That has led to fans expecting Wolfsburg playmaker Diego to return imminently, rather than in the summer but the Peixe boss believes that isn’t likely given the finances of the club.
He told Lance that it remains a possibility that the former star returns half way through 2014.
The Santos manager said: “I find it hard to back Diego (now), because he has a contract until the middle of the year and it is financially difficult for us to pay any amount to bring him in.
“It is a dream of the fans, the board and he is a hell of a player but it is more likely to happen this possibility in the middle of the year.”
And on Montillo departing Brazil for new ventures in China, de Oliveira said: “it was a very good proposal for Santos and for the athlete.
“The details are being conversed for his possible departure.”
