So, here we go again: one Libertadores-winning reunion brewing, and the gossip line is already buzzing. According to what we’ve been tracking on the Jogo Hoje, Marlon Freitas was asked point-blank whether he’s “pushing” Alexander Barboza to leave Botafogo and land at Palmeiras. And his answer? Cold, careful, and very much “this is for the board.”
Because when a volante speaks about a teammate who plays as a zagueiro and the target is a direct national rival, you don’t just hear football talk. You hear the mercado da bola grinding in the background, right in the middle of an negociação avançada.
The Response from Marlon Freitas
Freitas didn’t hide the human side, but he also didn’t give anyone a lever to pull. In a video shared by ESPN, he said he’s not involved in any pressure campaign.
What He Said About Barboza and Palmeiras
“No, Barboza is a great friend. I’m out of that situation. I wish him the best. He’s a big friend, a guy I truly care about, and may God bless him,” Marlon Freitas stated. Then he brought it back to the boardroom reality: “That’s with the diretoria. Let it end well, a happy outcome for everyone.”
Friendly words, but zero fingerprints on the transfer. And honestly, that’s the smart move when the bastidor gets loud and the clock starts ticking. Barboza is reportedly close to final details with Palmeiras, and the whole thing smells like calculated timing.
Why the Deal Is Moving Fast
Reports put the negotiation value at US$ 4 million. For Botafogo, selling now isn’t just about the market. It’s also about breathing room and avoiding the nightmare scenario of losing a player for free at the end of the contract. That’s why the cláusula contratual and the calendar suddenly become headline material.
Meanwhile, for Palmeiras, this is the kind of reinforcement that can immediately impact the defensive structure against top-flight rivals. When a zagueiro with championship pedigree switches shirts, it’s never only about the player. It’s about who gets to feel safe on the ball, who wins duels, and who controls the tempo when the pressure hits.
The Sporting and Financial Weight for Botafogo
Let’s not pretend this is clean and simple. If Barboza goes, it’s a direct shift in the defensive chessboard—and it happens to coincide with a rival you don’t want to strengthen during the same season’s climb.
But there’s the other side of the coin: the financial necessity. Botafogo want compensation now, not regrets later. That’s the uncomfortable truth behind many moves in the mercado da bola: clubs sell to manage risk, not just to chase headlines.
What Happens in the Next Steps
With Barboza described as close to the finish line, the next phase is all about details: the final agreement language, the payment structure, and how the contract situation gets wrapped up so it doesn’t turn into a court-case kind of mess. In other words, this is where the diretoria earns its paycheck.
And until signatures happen, every new comment from inside the squad becomes a breadcrumb. Because when the negociação avançada is this public, you can bet the bastidor will keep talking—whether players want it or not.
O Veredito Jogo Hoje
Marlon Freitas didn’t “confirm” anything—he killed the rumor with manners. That’s what makes this tense: he’s basically saying “we’re not doing the dirty work in public,” while the transfer machinery keeps rolling behind the scenes. If Barboza ends up at Palmeiras, the narrative will be simple for the fans, but the truth will be boardroom-driven: timing, money, and that cláusula contratual catching up. In the mercado da bola, feelings are fine—contracts decide.
— Por Jogo Hoje
Perguntas Frequentes
Is Marlon Freitas helping Barboza move to Palmeiras?
No. Freitas said he is not putting pressure on Barboza and that the decision is with the diretoria.
How much should Botafogo receive for Alexander Barboza?
Reports indicate the negotiation is around US$ 4 million.
Why does Botafogo want to sell Barboza now?
Because the club needs financial room and wants to avoid losing him for free at the end of the year, which ties directly into the contract situation and the cláusula contratual.
