Sao Paulo are ready to accept Fulham’s offer for the £9 million-rated Pablo Maia but, according to Lance, the Brazilian outfit hope to delay the midfielder’s departure until the summer of 2023.
And that is where Sao Paulo and Fulham do not quite see eye-to-eye.
Marco Silva’s high-flying Cottagers are expected to stump up the £9 million fee required, having had an opening bid of £6 million rejected. Sao Paulo are now ready to accept Fulham’s new and improved offer.
The obstacle standing in Fulham’s way, however, is the 2023 Campeonato Paulista. A tournament which runs from January to April, and one in which Sao Paulo will take part.
The Morumbi-based outfit want to keep Maia around until the competition comes to an end. Meaning they would prefer to sell the midfielder in the summer rather than the winter. Fulham, Lance adds, want the highly-rated, tough-tackling 20-year-old at Craven Cottage as soon as possible.
They obviously feel that Maia, a midfielder in the Harrison Reed mould, can contribute immediately as the West London outfit look to consolidate their position away from the dreaded relegation zone.
Fulham and Sao Paulo still negotiating Pablo Maia sale
Someone, then, will have to budge if an agreement between Fulham and Sao Paulo can be reached. West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are also keen, but it’s Fulham who appear to be in pole position as things stand.
“Pablo Maia plays as the (deep-lying) midfielder. He gives security to our defence,” explains Sao Paulo chief Muricy Ramalho. “He has a good pass too. He’s not just about marking (opposition forwards).
“Nowadays, the midfielder has to play too, and he has a good pass. Of course, he does the simple things but he keeps the ball. He gives stability to Sao Paulo.”
Maia, last week, admitted that playing in Europe would be a ‘dream’. His agent, however, seems to favour a summer exit, pointing out that a mid-season move to a new league and a new country is never easy for even the most talented young players.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
