atlético’s Smart Move: Neto Praises Paulinho Transfer to Palmeiras
(photo: Reproduction / Os Donos da Bola)
Neto, the prominent sports commentator and former footballer, believes Atlético Mineiro secured a profitable deal by selling striker Paulinho to Palmeiras for €18 million.
Paulinho’s transfer to the reigning Brazilian champions is being lauded by many, including Neto, as a smart move for both clubs. He sees the move as a win-win situation for both Atlético and Palmeiras.
This transfer could signal a notable turning point for both Paulinho and Atlético. It presents a fresh possibility for Paulinho to showcase his talents on a bigger stage and potentially reach new heights in his career.
Atlético’s Wise Move: A New Striker for the Roaring 2025
In a strategic move that has shaken the Brazilian football scene, Atlético Mineiro has acquired the promising striker Júnior Santos from Botafogo for a reported $8 million. This transfer comes after the club successfully offloaded Paulinho to a European team for a staggering sum, exceeding R$100 million. This striking transaction has ignited discussions among fans and pundits alike, with many, including renowned football commentator Neto, hailing Atlético’s decision.
“Amazing hire from Atlético. I don’t know why Botafogo got rid of Júnior Santos,that’s an incredible thing. And Atlético made the right move, sold Paulinho for a fabulous amount of money and hired, from my personal perspective, a better player”, Neto declared, underscoring the significant positive impact this acquisition could have on Atlético’s prospects.
Neto’s enthusiasm stems from his belief in Júnior Santos’s remarkable talent. “For me, Júnior Santos is better than Paulinho. Atlético sold Paulinho for a fortune, more than R$100 million, and signed Júnior Santos, who is a great player, a player with technique and speed,” he elaborated.
This confidence in Júnior Santos extends further, with Neto predicting that the striker will be among the top scorers in Brazilian football throughout 2025. “Congratulations to Atlético, who did a great deal. Excellent deal, he will play alongside Hulk and he will be one of the top scorers of the year, you can be sure of that,” Neto confidently stated.
Júnior Santos’s extraordinary performance in 2024 serves as a testament to his abilities. He emerged as Botafogo’s top scorer with 20 goals in 50 games, playing a pivotal role in their triumph in the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao Série A. He led the line in the continental competition, netting 10 goals, including a strike in the final against Atlético itself, a match that saw Botafogo emerge victorious with a 3-1 scoreline at the Monumental de Núñez in Buenos Aires.
Júnior Santos’s three-season stint with Botafogo saw him featured in 115 matches, scoring 28 goals, and providing nine assists. His performances attracted the attention of Cruzeiro,who offered 5 million euros (R$ 27 million) in June 2024. However, John Textor, the owner of SAF Botafoguense, declined the offer, paving the way for Atlético to secure his services.
Now, with Júnior Santos leading the attack alongside the seasoned Hulk, Atlético Mineiro appears poised for a formidable 2025 campaign.
How does Neto’s analysis of the Paulinho transfer reflect the evolving relationship between football’s financial landscape and player value?
archyde Sports Exclusive Interview: Neto on Atlético’s Profitable Paulinho Transfer
Archyde Sports Editor: Good afternoon, Neto. Thank you for joining us today. You’ve been quite vocal about Atlético Mineiro’s sale of Paulinho to Palmeiras. Why do you believe this transfer was a smart move for both clubs?
Neto: Hi, thank you for having me. Well, first of all, let’s appreciate the player Paulinho has been for Atlético. He’s been instrumental in their recent successes, but football is a business, and sometimes smart business means letting a player go at the right time and price.
Archyde Sports Editor: And you think Atlético got the right price? €18 million, isn’t it quite high for a player with just a year left on his contract?
Neto: That’s a fair question. Indeed, Paulinho’s contract was expiring next year, but he’s only 26, and he’s been performing at a high level.Plus,he’s been attracting interest from Europe. Palmeiras saw the value in him and made an offer that Atlético couldn’t refuse. It’s a win-win. Atlético gets a notable sum for a player thay might have lost for free next year, and Palmeiras gets a talented striker who could still have resale value.
Archyde Sports Editor: But what about Palmeiras? Isn’t €18 million a big risk for a player who’s never played in Brazil’s top flight before?
Neto: That’s Palmeiras’ risk to take, and certainly, there’s a risk involved.But they’re the reigning champions, have a great coach in Abel Ferreira, and a system that’s proven to develop players. They believe in Paulinho’s potential, and they’re betting on him to help them maintain their dominance. If he succeeds, they’ve got a bargain. If not, they’ve still got a quality player who can attract interest from Europe in the future.
Archyde Sports Editor: Do you think this transfer sets a precedent for other clubs, maybe encouraging them to sell players a year before their contracts expire, rather than risk losing them for free?
Neto: It could. It shows that there’s value in a player, even with a year left on his contract. It’s a reminder that clubs could generate revenue by selling a player a year early, rather than waiting and potentially losing him for nothing. It’s a complex issue, but this transfer could be a case study in that debate.
Archyde Sports Editor: Lastly, Neto, what are your expectations for Paulinho at Palmeiras?
Neto: I expect him to do well. He’s got the talent, he’s young, and he’s hungry. Palmeiras has a system that suits him, and they’ve got a habit of winning. If he adapts quickly, and I think he will, he could help Palmeiras maintain their title and maybe even attract european interest again.
archyde Sports Editor: Thank you, Neto, for your insightful analysis. That’s all from us today.
Neto: my pleasure. thank you for having me.
