São Paulo eye striker playing in Japan as André Silva replacement | OneFootball

Marcelo Ryan celebrates after scoring a goal for FC Tokyo (Instagram)

RAFAEL EMILIANO@rafaelemilianoo

São Paulo has chosen Marcelo Ryan, a 23-year-old forward who currently plays for FC, as their target to replace André Silva, who suffered a serious injury and may not play again this season.

The information was initially revealed by the portal 'Gazeta Esportiva'. When consulted by AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, sources from São Paulo's football board pointed out that the name was monitored by the club's scouting department, but the negotiation proved to be more complicated than expected.

The Tricolor is trying for another loan of the center forward, also until December, when his contract with Sagan ends. To the player's staff, they are offering a productivity clause that would allow him to sign a permanent deal with the club starting next year.

The negotiation model is the same that brought Juan Dinenno to the club, whose contract with Cruzeiro ran until the end of the year. The player meets the financial requirements of the deal for the Morumbi club, which is facing financial problems and has a spending cap for investments.

Once again, Tricolor is counting on the support of the player's staff to try to unlock the deal, which was initially rejected by the Asians. São Paulo has until next Tuesday (9/2) to finalize the arrival of reinforcements.

The name of the young forward from Japanese football is somewhat discouraging to fans, who woke up on Wednesday (27th) to the news that Tricolor sought information to try to advance in signing Marcos Leonardo, an evidently much more high-profile option.

WHO IS MARCELO RYAN

Marcelo Ryan may be unknown to most Brazilian fans, but he has been gaining some prominence in Japan, where he built his career.

The forward was sold in August 2022 by Bahia, the club that developed him, and where, in his farewell season, he alternated between more matches for the under-20s than for the professional team.

At Yokohama FC, in the Japanese second division, Marcelo played 38 matches in his first year, scoring six goals and providing three assists.

His performance ended up motivating his sale to Sagan Tosu, and in 2024 the Brazilian continued to shine. In 33 matches, Marcelo scored 15 goals and provided two assists. Loaned to Tokyo FC, the forward has been playing regularly this season and has maintained a good relationship with the back of the net.

Without him and two other options (Calleri and Ryan Francisco, who are also at Reffis), Hernán Crespio has, to lead the attack as a natural center forward, his compatriot Dinneno, a name who came from Cruzeiro when the coach was still Luis Zubeldía, who in fact recommended him to Tricolor (a fact that may contribute to his limited use under the new manager).

Besides Dinneno, other players can be improvised, such as wingers Ferreirinha and Tapia, as well as Luciano, who can play as a false 9.

With a spending cap and budget limit, Tricolor is struggling to go to the market in search of a name to strengthen its ranks. The option is for someone free on the market or who arrives on loan. Time is running out, as the transfer window closes on September 2.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.