O Cruzeiro has ongoing talks to try to sign midfielder Gerson28 years old, currently at Zenit and with a remarkable spell at Flamengo. Negotiations are not yet concluded and depend on important adjustments, including the possibility of defender Jonathan Jesus being involved in the operation and moving to Russian football. The information was initially published on the website “ge.com”.
The Russian club signaled that it accepts negotiating Gerson’s departure, but established clear conditions: the payment of 15 million euros (R$97 million), in addition to the release of Jonathan Jesus. The Cruzeiro defender has been on Zenit’s radar for a few weeks, a period in which negotiations between the parties have been discussed continuously.
Initially, Cruzeiro even presented a proposal of 10 million euros for the defender. If you agree to give up Jonathan Jesus and also pay the 15 million euros required to sign Gerson, the transaction would reach a total value of 25 million euros – exactly the amount paid by Zenit to Flamengo to sign the midfielder, in July this year. Internally, however, the Minas Gerais club works with a ceiling of up to 12 million euros, and Jonathan’s departure is still a subject of debate.
Cruzeiro’s interest in Gerson is not recent, but it gained strength with the arrival of Tite. The coach worked with the player at Flamengo between 2023 and 2024 and also used him in four matches for the Brazilian team in 2021. The relationship of trust between them is seen as a relevant factor for the celestial onslaught.
In recent days, the president of Cruzeiro’s SAF, Pedro Lourenço, publicly stated that the club is in the market looking for “heavy names” to reinforce the squad from 2026 onwards, in alignment with Tite in assembling the group. Within this profile, Gerson appears as an ideal candidate, supported by a successful CV at Flamengo, where he won two Libertadores, three Brazilian Championship titles and one Copa do Brasil.
Bought by Zenit in the middle of the year, Gerson could become the first major addition to Cruzeiro’s new phase. The negotiation directly involves the Russians’ interest in Jonathan Jesus and the definition of the amount that the Brazilian club is willing to invest to facilitate the midfielder’s return to the country.
Which Brazilian clubs want Gerson?
Before entering the Cruzeiro radar, Gerson’s name was speculated at Atlético-MG, but the high cost of the operation would have alienated the black and white club. Since June in Europe, the player left Flamengo amid a turbulent environment, marked by criticism and attacks from fans opposed to his departure.
A return to Brazilian football could also benefit Gerson in the sporting aspect, as it would make it easier for him to follow the Brazilian national team coach, Carlo Ancelotti, increasing his chances of being remembered for the World Cup. The midfielder, it is worth remembering, has already defended Brazil on four occasions in 2021, precisely under the command of Tite.
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