Transfer ban stalls Sao Paulo move for Renato Sanches

Sao Paulo’s attempt to sign Renato Sanches has been held up by a FIFA registration ban, according to Sébastien Denis of Foot Mercato. The Brazilian club reportedly submitted an offer to the Portugal midfielder last month.

Sanches, 29, is a free agent and has been exploring his options after negotiations with Getafe failed. Foot Mercato reports that he had previously given priority to Corinthians before Sao Paulo made its approach.

Rafinha has been involved in the pursuit in his role as Sao Paulo’s sporting director. The former Bayern Munich defender played alongside Sanches in Germany and wants to bring him to Brazil, with the club’s coach also backing the move.

Discussions with the player’s representatives have taken place, but there is no reported agreement with Sanches. The registration ban remains an obstacle because Sao Paulo cannot register new players while the sanction is in force.

UOL reported on Thursday that the ban concerns a debt of around 1.5 million reais owed to intermediaries involved in Giuliano Galoppo’s arrival in 2022. The club has also been dealing with delays in payments to its current squad.

Sanches came through Benfica’s academy and joined Bayern in 2016, the same year he helped Portugal win the European Championship. His time in Germany included a loan spell with Swansea City in the Premier League during the 2017-18 season.

He moved to Lille in 2019 and won the Ligue 1 title in 2021 before joining Paris Saint-Germain the following year. His three seasons at Lille brought 90 appearances, six goals and 10 assists. He then made 27 appearances in his first season in Paris, scoring twice.

Loans to Roma and Benfica followed, with his return to Benfica interrupted by a hamstring injury. He finished that spell with 21 appearances and one goal in 2024-25 before spending the following season on loan at Panathinaikos.

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