O Botafogo wants to fight for titles again in 2026 and is moving in the football market in search of reinforcements. After a 2025 of ups and downs, the club ended the season by qualifying for the preliminary round of the Libertadores.
With changes in technical command and adjustments to the squad, doubts arise among fans: Who has Botafogo already hired for 2026? Which players can still arrive? And who should leave the club?
Below, the Sporting News reúne all updated information about Botafogo in the transfer market, including confirmed signings, ongoing negotiations and possible departures from the squad.
Who did Botafogo hire for 2026?
Botafogo has a new coach for 2026 and has two players lined up. The athletes, however, have not yet been officially announced.
- Martín Anselmi (technician): Argentine coach, 40 years old, signed a contract valid for two years.
- Riquelme (defender): the club acquired 70% of the economic rights of the 18-year-old defender from Sport. The value was R$7.8 million.
- Lucas Villalba (attacker): passed the medical exams, arrives from Nacional, from Uruguay. Botafogo will pay 3 million dollars (R$ 16.3 million) for 85% of the economic rights.
Botafogo negotiations: possible reinforcements for 2026
- Ferraresi (defender): Venezuelan athlete from São Paulo negotiates with Botafogo. The name interests Glorioso a lot.
- Jair (defender): former Botafogo player, now at Nottingham Forest (ING), received a request to return, but is satisfied in Europe.
- Jhohan Romaña (defender): San Lorenzo’s Colombian defender is watched. The athlete has a contract until December 2026 in Argentina, but can leave free of charge due to back wages.
- Rubens (left-back/midfielder): ex-Atlético-MG signaled positively after consulting Glorioso. He is at Dynamo Moscow, in Russia.
- Cristian Medina (midfielder): the Argentine player’s agents are considering placing the athlete, currently at Estudiantes-ARG, in Botafogo.
- Júlio Romão (steering wheel): negotiation open, but considered difficult at this time. Ferencváros, from Hungary, turned down an offer of 1.5 million euros (R$9.8 million).
- Pedro Bicalho (steering wheel): Qarabag, from Azerbaijan, did not accept an offer for a loan with an option to buy.
- Pablo Maia (midfielder): entered into talks with São Paulo, but the situation is difficult.
- Rodriguinho (midfielder): another São Paulo athlete who is pleasing and also not easy.
- Gleiker Mendoza (attacker): Venezuelan player from Kryvbas, from Ukraine, was on the agenda, but negotiations stalled.
- Maher Carizzo (forward): young man from Vélez Sarsfield-ARG, aged 19, is a dream for 2026. A situation with little progress.
- Hulk (attacker): Atlético-MG star, currently 39 years old, was offered. Botafogo made a proposal, but the price was not satisfactory. Athlete wants to receive around R$2 million per month.
Players who left Botafogo
- Gabriel Bahia (defender): with just four games, his loan ended with Volta Redonda. He will play Paulistão 2026 for Novorizontino, also on loan from Volta Redonda.
- Lucas Halter (defender): After a spell at Vitória, he agreed to transfer to Houston Dynamo, in the United States. The value was 1.75 million dollars (R$ 9.7 million).
- Marlon Freitas (steering wheel): asked to leave Botafogo and go to Palmeiras for 6 million euros (R$ 33.4 million).
Players who can leave Botafogo
- Cuiabano (left-back): loan from Nottingham Forest ends at the end of 2025. Botafogo tries to extend his stay.
- Savarino (midfielder): Corinthians want the player and are considering making a proposal.
- Jeffinho (striker): without having packed in 2025, he can go to a new club in 2026.
- Mastriani (forward): with little space, there is a loan from Athletico-PR valid only until the end of 2025. There is no movement from Botafogo for renewal.
Botafogo contract renewals for 2026
There are no certain renewals, but one is under negotiation and another is underway.
- Barboza (defender): He has a contract until December 2026, but Botafogo is trying to extend the contract to keep potential interested parties away.
- Marçal (left-back): renewal forwarded until December 2026. Contract ends at the end of 2025.
MORE: Check out the dates on the Brazilian football calendar in 2026
