NAMES ON THE TABLE
Squad is close to closing with two new reinforcements for midfield and attack
Published on December 22, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Rodrigo Nestor and Michel Araújo, from São Paulo, are close to Bahia Credit: Erico Leonan / saopaulofc and Disclosure
Bahia remains active in the market and has two São Paulo players as targets for 2025. The Squadron is negotiating the signing of midfielders Rodrigo Nestor and Michel Araújo. The information was released by journalist André Hernan.
Rodrigo Nestor’s name has been speculated in Bahia since the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship. The signing of the player would have been a request from Rogério Ceni, with whom the athlete worked in São Paulo itself.
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It was under Ceni’s command that Rodrigo Nestor experienced the best phase of his career. In 2022, he played 62 games, scored eight goals and provided 11 assists.
Rodrigo Nestor ended up losing ground with coach Zubeldía and, therefore, São Paulo sees the negotiation as positive for the club and athlete. According to the São Paulo press, the Esquadrão will pay 1.5 million euros (around R$9.4 million) for the loan for one season.
The agreement also provides for the obligation to purchase Bahia for 4.7 million euros (approximately R$30 million), which makes the total deal worth around R$39.4 million.
Rodrigo Nestor is 24 years old and was trained in São Paulo’s youth teams. Last year, he was champion of the Copa do Brasil. The player also has spent time with Brazil’s youth teams.
São Paulo will still be able to earn another R$1.5 million as a target defined in the contract if Bahia qualifies for the 2026 Libertadores.
Michel Araújo is 28 years old and started his career at Racing, in Uruguay. In his home country, he also played for Villa Teresa. The player’s first team in Brazil was Fluminense, a club he defended between 2020 and 2022. During this period, he spent a loan spell at Al Wasl, in the United Arab Emirates.
The Uruguayan arrived at São Paulo 2023, and has stood out for his versatility. Despite being a midfielder by origin, he plays in attack, in roles deeper in midfield and also on the left flank.
In 2024, Michel Araújo played 38 matches, provided two assists and did not score a goal.
