Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have both shown interest in Álvaro Montoro this summer, but Brazilian side Botafogo have decided to keep the youngster for now.
That’s a bit of a setback for now, although the door could reopen relatively soon.
Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reports Newcastle and Wolves are among a long list of sides interested in the 19-year-old. Real Betis, AC Milan, Ajax, Sporting and Atlanta United are also named. We also know he was linked to Brighton earlier this year.
There has even been an indication of a possible €20m (£17.3m) offer for Montoro. Botafogo, however, stopped negotiations from progressing.
Botafogo change their plans for Montoro
The Brazilian club believe Montoro is worth more than €20m (£17.3m), particularly given his potential. That alone would make life more difficult for Newcastle and Wolves. Yet money isn’t the main reason nothing has happened this summer.
Botafogo had actually planned to sell Montoro earlier this year. Financial problems led them to identify Montoro and Danilo as their two main assets. The idea was to cash in on both if suitable opportunities arrived. And it almost happened in a very murky deal, courtesy of former investor/CEO John Textor, which ended up ruled out by the club’s board.
Things have since changed. The arrival of GDA Luma Group as a new investors has allowed Botafogo to rethink that approach. They now intend to keep both players until at least the end of the year.
Montoro’s representatives have already been informed of the decision. The Argentine wants to play in Europe, but has accepted Botafogo’s position for the moment.
There is some encouragement for Newcastle and Wolves, though. Globo Esporte says Botafogo have told his camp that they can discuss a departure again at the end of the season.
Premier League clubs may have another chance
That makes this look more like a delay than the end of Montoro’s chances of moving to Europe.
Botafogo have also handed him an improved contract. His previous salary was considered low compared to others in the squad. The new agreement rewards his development and gives the Brazilian side a stronger position ahead of future negotiations.
They clearly don’t feel any pressure to sell at the moment. Montoro joined Botafogo from Vélez Sarsfield last year for €9m (£7.8m). He has since managed six goals and seven assists from 59 appearances.
Newcastle and Wolves now know roughly where things stand. Around €20m (£17.3m) hasn’t been enough to tempt Botafogo, and talks have effectively been pushed towards the end of the Brazilian season.
With Montoro keen on Europe, that could be when this one starts moving again.
