REPORT: FC Cincinnati extend Alvaro Barreal, loan him to Brazilian side Santos FC
Damon Gumbert
Alvaro Barreal’s return to FC Cincinnati was brief, as reports have come out that he will be loaned out to Brazilian club Santos FC.
GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert, along with German Garcia Grova in Argentina, have reported that Barreal will head to Brazil for the 2025 season.
The loan reportedly has an option to purchase, which confused many FC fans as Barreal’s contract with Cincinnati ends after the 2025 season, meaning that a team could get him for a free transfer if they wanted.
Bogert is now reporting that FCC has extended Barreal through the 2026 season, as well as stating that the purchase option is automatically triggered if Barreal plays 65% of games.
If Barreal is to play in 65% of Santos’ matches, FC Cincinnati will receive $4 million.
Two things are standing in the way of that option being triggered: Barreal’s health and Neymar Jr.
Barreal underwent surgery in the offseason after his season with Brazilian side Cruzeiro ended. He posted on social media stating that he had been in pain for four months while playing for Cruzeiro. As the season went on his minutes on the pitch dwindled, likely caused by his injury.
Santos FC has made headlines recently after coming to mutual terms with Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. on a loan from his current club Al Hilal SFC. Neymar began his career with Santos, coming up through their academy before making his debut in 2009. The 32-year-old primarily plays the same position that Barreal has tended to play, left-winger. It has been said that Barreal’s best seasons to date have been when playing wing-back at FC Cincinnati, but the Argentinian prefers to play as a strict winger over the hybrid wing-back role.
The move frees up much-needed cap space for FC Cincinnati, who have struggled to add depth this offseason. The loan for Barreal reportedly comes with a $300 thousand fee, which is convertible into GAM for salary cap purposes. If the purchase option is triggered, up to three of the four million dollars that FC Cincinnati would receive could be converted to General Allocation Money (GAM), which would help them potentially add players during the summer transfer window or next winter.
When asked about depth during his preseason presser, Pat Noonan mentioned wanting to bring in some more players, such as center-back, left wing-back, and striker. This move allows the club to do that potentially.
