The sigh of relief when the transfer window closed on 1 September could be heard from Sao Paulo to San Jose.
After a summer of intense speculation, Copa Libertadores holders Palmeiras succeeded in keeping a talented crop of players together despite a drastic financial situation that has hit Brazilian football hard since the covid crisis reared its ugly head 18 months ago.
Hard-working midfielder Patrick de Paula and exciting winger Wesley stuck around despite reported interest from Manchester City, while Gabriel Veron, a teen sensation labelled “an enormous talent” by Brazil legend Bebeto, also remains at the Allianz Parque.
In the case of Gabriel Menino, however, some at Palmeiras could be forgiven for wondering whether the club would have been better off cashing in while they had a chance.
Can Tottenham and Chelsea target Gabriel Menino rediscover his form?
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Sao Paulo-based outfit would have accepted a fee in the region of £15 million for Menino in the summer transfer window at a time when Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea were rumoured to hold an interest in a player labelled ‘the Brazilian Yaya Toure’.
This season, however, Menino has only started five of a possible 20 games, a lack of fitness and form stunting his growth.
And when he has played, one of the brightest young talents in South American football has come in for his fair share of criticism as the form of last season deserts him.
“Gabriel Menino – are you eating too many sweets?” quipped former Brazil international Neto on his Os Donos Da Bola TV show.
“He’s stopped playing football! He was supposed to be a right-back for the Qatar World Cup.”
A player who shot to fame thanks to his ability to thrive as a box-to-box midfielder or swashbuckling right-back is struggling in both positions right now.
As it stands, it seems more likely 39-year-old Dani Alves will be starting for Tite’s Brazil at next year’s World Cup. His critics will say Menino should spend less time in the sweet shop and more time on the training pitch.
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