Botafogo and Sao Paulo are moving toward an agreement that would allow Ferraresi and Artur to play on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 5 p.m., at Morumbis, in the 17th round of the Brazilian Serie A. Both players are on loan in opposite directions and, under the original contracts, would need loan-related fees to be paid before facing the clubs that own their rights.
The talks between the boards are aimed at waiving those fees specifically for this match. That would make the Venezuelan defender available to Franclim Carvalho at Botafogo, while Artur could be used by Dorival Junior at Sao Paulo. At the time of publication, the deal was considered advanced but still had final details to be settled.
Why Ferraresi matters to Botafogo
Ferraresi belongs to Sao Paulo and is on loan at Botafogo until the end of the season. His availability matters because Botafogo lost depth at center back after Alexander Barboza’s move to Palmeiras, leaving the position as one of the squad’s main concerns for the rest of the year.
The defender has also become a regular starter. According to figures reported by ge and Itatiaia, Ferraresi has made 13 appearances and scored one goal for Botafogo in 2026. Without the agreement, the club would have to choose between paying the contractual fee or leaving out a player who has become important to the defensive rotation.
Artur is also expected to be cleared
Artur is in a similar position on the other side. The forward belongs to Botafogo and is on loan at Sao Paulo until December, with a purchase mechanism included in the deal, according to reports on the transaction. He has become a starter for the Sao Paulo side and enters the matchup with two goals and two assists in 14 games.
For both clubs, the agreement would reduce the sporting impact of clauses that are common in loan contracts. Instead of paying to use players already integrated into their squads, Botafogo and Sao Paulo are moving toward clearing both for the head-to-head match.
The match matters in the table
The meeting at Morumbis brings together teams in different moments in the Brazilian Serie A. Itatiaia reported that Sao Paulo entered the week in fourth place with 24 points after three league matches without a win. Botafogo climbed to ninth with 21 points after beating Corinthians 3-1 at Nilton Santos.
For Botafogo, having Ferraresi available helps protect a defense that will need adjustments in the second half of the season. Final confirmation of the agreement still depends on the last details between the boards, but the most likely scenario is that both loaned players are cleared for the match.