Tottenham has approached Santos again about Souza. The initial offer of €10 million had already been rejected. Now Spurs have signaled they may raise the bid, but Santos remains firm, in no rush and unwilling to sell for less than what it believes is fair.
Santos executives feel the proposals received so far don’t reflect the full upside of the right back’s market value. Before Tottenham, Chelsea and Milan also tried to move forward, all with similar figures. None came close to what the club believes could be reached with more playing time and visibility over the course of the season.
The player’s moment matters, but it doesn’t define everything
Souza is in a situation that divides opinion. In 2025, he spent much of the year as a backup and only gained more regular minutes late in the season. Internally, the belief is that with more playing time and continuity, his value could rise quickly. The interest is seen as proof he’s on the right radar, even if an immediate move isn’t treated as urgent.
His contract running through the end of 2028 gives the club peace of mind. There’s no calendar pressure and no immediate risk of losing him without a financial return. That completely changes the tone of the negotiations. Santos can wait, watch the market and choose the right moment.
Sell now or bet on appreciation
Santos’ stance has little to do with stubbornness or posturing. The club believes selling at this stage, with offers seen as average, could mean giving up a much bigger return in the short term. Recent examples in Brazilian soccer show how this kind of patience can make a real difference for both the budget and the sporting project.
For now, nothing changes day to day. Souza remains part of the squad, Santos keeps its firm position, and Tottenham weighs its next move. If a new offer comes in closer to what the club considers acceptable, talks can happen. If not, the answer is already clear. European clubs may keep pushing, but this time, Santos is the one setting the pace.