Santos Explores Gabigol Return as Cruzeiro Awaits Formal Offer

Overview

• Santos has opened preliminary channels about bringing academy product Gabigol back from Cruzeiro but has not lodged a formal bid.
• Cruzeiro says it has received no concrete proposal and remains focused on its Copa do Brasil campaign before engaging substantively.
• The main obstacle is financial, with reports citing a Cruzeiro wage near R$2.5 million that clashes with Santos’s push for budget discipline in 2026.
• Cruzeiro holds the striker under contract through 2028 and intends to require financial compensation, citing salary outlay and signing bonuses.
• Santos is expected to advance only if the player accepts a reduced package or resolves his current deal, with options under discussion such as a loan with shared wages or a permanent sale.