Less than 12 months after Neymar’s emotional homecoming was heralded as the dawn of a new golden age, Santos find themselves staring into the abyss: mired in relegation trouble in Serie A, crippled by debts exceeding €150 million, and with a dressing room fractured after the Brazilian superstar’s behaviour in the wake of a heavy defeat to Flamengo.
The iconic Peixe, once the club that launched Pelé and Neymar himself, is now openly exploring the sale of 90% of its capital in a desperate bid for survival, with the board having already hired renowned lawyer Rodrigo Monteiro de Castro to guide the privatisation process first outlined months ago.
Valued at €346 million, Santos has suddenly become one of the hottest properties in world football’s investment market.
Chelsea’s multi-club owner BlueCo, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund have all registered serious interest, according to reports in Brazil.