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Santos protects its young players: renewals to avoid losses
Santos has adopted a proactive strategy to secure contract renewals for its young talents, thus avoiding any losses.
Santos have changed their approach in the transfer market and have started to adopt an aggressive pace to extend the contracts of their top youth talents. The objective is clear: to prevent the "Meninos da Vila" from gaining space and visibility in the first team and then leaving for zero or for lower than expected figures from foreign clubs. In the last twelve months, the Santos management has ensured the contract renewal of at least thirteen young players. The technical staff and sports management are following each young person in a personalized way, designing specific career plans to maximize each individual's performance.
Latest protective renewals
The latest wave of renewals involved players who had stood out under Cuca's guidance before the World Cup break:
- Miguelito: The Bolivian midfielder has seen his contract extended until May 2029. Under Cuca, he has been repositioned into the attacking midfielder role and has responded well with a goal and two assists in his last four games.
- Gabriel Bontempo, Samuel Pierri and Gustavo Henrique: The trio had been used frequently by the coach, with Bontempo and Gustavo Henrique standing out by finishing the semester as starters.
- Robinho Jr.: The attacker also renewed his contract and is following a tactical adaptation process similar to that of Miguelito, being tested by Cuca in the role of attacking midfielder.
Long-term renewals
In addition to the names mentioned above, Santos has guaranteed the permanence of a core of young players with contracts expiring at least in 2028. Here are the names:
- Goalkeepers: João Pedro
- Central defenders: João Ananias and João Alencar
- Full backs: Rafael Gonzaga and Vinícius Lira
- Midfielders: Pepê Fermino
- Forwards: Mateus Xavier, Davizinho and David Nogueira
Some names from the under-20 team, however, are still waiting for renewal talks to begin, such as midfielders Vinícius Fabri and Nicola Profeta, central defender Marcelo Contreras and striker Fernando Pradella (the latter made his professional debut against Chapecoense).
Why this urgency
Santos' urgency in signing new contracts is justified by bitter experiences lived in this decade:
- Kaio Jorge (2021): The club took too long to act and the attacker ended up signing a pre-contract with Juventus, forcing Santos to accept an immediate transfer for just 3 million euros so as not to lose him for nothing.
- Marcos Leonardo (2022): A long and exhausting negotiation meant that the renewal agreement was signed only five months before the attacker became a free agent.
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