Right at the end of last year, Liverpool were linked to Santos fullback Zeca. According to reliable outlets from Brazil, the Reds were in a list of interested clubs which included Atletico Madrid and AC Milan.
Zeca was really in great form at the time. After winning the Olympics for Brazil, he helped Santos with a league campaign which took them to second place, and seemed ready to get to the next level as the club qualified for the Copa Libertadores.
But the 24-year-old has lived a nightmare since then. After struggling with injuries, he never managed to play on the same level. With Santos eliminated from Libertadores, Copa do Brasil, and missing chances to go to the top of the league table, he didn’t take the criticism well and fell out with the fanbase after posting on Instagram that people were talking too much, with a few middlefingers included.
He was even linked to Liverpool again last month, but we didn’t believe the news at the time because it just seemed refreshed from December.
Now this week, the player didn’t show up to training twice, and the club was caught by surprise when on Thursday night, a legal action was launched to end his contract, as reported by Globo Esporte.
Zeca claims that his guarantee fund hasn’t been deposited, and also alleges ‘lack of security’ after receiving a hot welcome from fans at the airport after a disappointing draw, and having his name spray painted off the Santos stadium with a bit of a threat, which said the fans ‘would meet him someday’.
A hearing is scheduled for April, but it’s clear that his departure is very likely. That’s why it sounds like the perfect chance for anyone who wants Zeca to go and get him, because even if Santos legally win this, there’s no mood for him to continue at the club.
So in case Liverpool are still interested and believe he can overcome his bad form, a couple of million should be enough to take him in January. Or maybe wait until the hearing and see if a free transfer is possible next summer.
An interesting opportunity for Jurgen Klopp.
