Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira is full of praise for Gustavo Scarpa’s commitment even after the Brazilian playmaker secured a ‘dream’ move to Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, speaking to UOL.
For the first time, it seems that we have some concrete information to bring you. Scarpa’s much-discussed move to the City Ground has been the subject of plenty of column inches on both sides of the Atlantic, albeit without any official confirmation from either party.
That was, however, until Palmeiras released a statement on the 28-year-old’s future last week.
Scarpa, the Copa Libertadores holders confirm, has signed a pre-contract agreement with Steve Cooper’s side. As such, the former Fluminense forward will be on his way to Europe when he becomes a free-agent in December, even if there are still some doubts about whether Scarpa will move immediately to the City Ground or whether he will join Josh Bowler and Hwang Ui-Jo on loan at Olympiakos.
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Now, Ferreira may have worried that all this speculation would distract his one-man chance-creating production-line from the task at hand. Namely, securing another domestic title in Palmeiras colours.
But, with a goal and an assist in his last two matches, Ferreira clearly had nothing to concern himself about.
“(Scarpa) was very correct and honest with the club,” says the one-time Sporting Lisbon boss, who was once rumoured to be taking over from Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United.
“He expressed a dream and a desire, which is legitimate. When you have a serious, honest player who exposes his frankness and says: ‘As long as I’m at the club, I’m going to give everything I have and I can’…”
Palmeiras, Ferreira adds, have already signed Scarpa’s replacement in Bruno Tabata.
“We looked for Tabata, already thinking about Scarpa’s departure,” the manager adds. “When one falls, another has to get up.”
Scarpa, who set up a remarkable 20 goals for Palmeiras in 2021, picked up his only Brazil cap in 2017. There is still an outside chance, however, that his effervescent form could earn Scarpa a recall ahead of the Qatar World Cup with Selecao coach Tite signalling him out for praise.
“I really like Scarpa,” Tite tells UOL. “He was called up when he was at Fluminense (in 2017). He has a creative ability, plays with mobility. He’s a very good player.”
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