For the first time, Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has admitted that negotiations are taking place with rivals São Paulo over the sale of midfielder Ganso.
Ganso, 22, has been the focus of intense transfer speculation over the past few months after failing to agree terms on a new contract with the club.
Now, it is São Paulo who look closest to agreeing terms for the Brazil international, having seen two reported bids previously rejected.
President Ribeiro, as well as admitting negotiations are taking place, confirmed that Santos are no longer looking for Ganso’s R$53 million buy-out clause to be met in order to sell their 45% of his economic rights.
“There is no point São Paulo submitting proposal for less than R$23.8 million (£7.3 million). It would be a waste of paper,” Ribeiro told Radio Globo.
“This is the price required for Ganso to leave Santos. This subject is bloated and it’s difficult to care about it. I have a lot of other important things to deal with.”
The deal would see Santos’ ownership share transfer across the city to São Paulo, with rights agency DIS still controlling the remaining 55%.
Any potential buyer would still need to come to an agreement with the agency, but it is thought the potential for profit on a resale would mean DIS are unlikely to block any move.
