Key Transfers of the Brasileiro Serie A 2023 Window

Incoming Transfers to the Brasileiro Serie A

Marcelo’s Return to Fluminense

Former Brazilian full-back, Marcelo, broke headlines in Brazil when he announced his return to the Serie A. Marcelo began his career in Fluminense playing in the youth team between 2002 to 2005. In 2005, he was promoted to the senior team, winning 30 league appearances over two years.

Marcelo transferred to Real Madrid in 2007, where he spent 15 years at the club until the summer of 2022. During that time, the Brazilian had won five UEFA Champions League trophies, among many other trophies. He transferred to the Greek club, Olympiacos, before mutually terminating his contract with the team.

Marcelo returns to Fluminense after sixteen years. He opened his scoring account for the club during his second spell in a 4-1 win over arch-rivals Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores two-legged final. He has started three of Fluminense’s six league matches this season.

Suárez Joins Grêmio

On the 31^st of December 2022, newly promoted Grêmio announced the arrival of Luis Suárez on a two-year contract. The Uruguayan forward joined the Brazilian outfit from his boyhood club, Nacional. Suárez was presented on the 4^th of January, at the Arena do Grêmio in front of 30,000 home fans. Two weeks later, he had made his debut in the 2023 Recopa Gaúcho, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over São Luiz.

Suárez has always been one of the most prominent strikers in Europe. He has won almost everything there is to win at club level, including the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona. Suárez is also Uruguay’s record scorer, finding the back of the net 68 times from 137 international caps.

Suárez has already tasted success with Grêmio, scoring a decisive penalty in the second leg of the Campeonato Gaúcho. His goal in the tie proved to be the winner, as Grêmio defeated Caxias 2-1 on aggregate.

Fernandinho Rejoins Atlético Paranaense

Manchester City’s skipper, Fernandinho left the club after nine years to rejoin his boyhood club, Atlético Paranaense. Fernandinho played for the youth team for two years, between 2000 and 2002. In 2002, he was promoted to the first team, where he made 95 league appearances and scored 21 goals.

In 2005, the midfielder joined Shakhtar Donetsk, before joining Manchester City in 2013. He made 264 Premier League appearances for the club, before deciding to leave at the end of last season. After leaving the club, Fernandinho signed for Atlético Paranaense.

In the 2023 Serie A Brasileiro season, Fernandinho is yet to make a massive impact. He has started three of the club’s six matches, unable to replicate his pristine form in England for his native club in Brazil.

Outgoing Transfers from the Brasileiro Serie A

Jeffinho Departs from Botafogo

One of the most coveted transfers from the Basileiro Serie A was Jeffinho. The 23-year-old winger left Botafogo to join Ligue 1 side, Olympique Lyon. The Brazilian winger scored 2 league goals for Botafogo from 24 appearances. His impressive individual performances were part of the reason why the youngster was able to secure a transfer to a UEFA Champions League club. So far, he has had two Ligue 1 appearances but failed to make any significant contribution in the league. However, he has scored a goal for the side in the domestic cup.

Jeffinho joined Lyon for €10,000,000. He has signed a contract with the French team until June 2027. Whether it all works out for the Brazilian at his new club remains to be seen. His departure from Botafogo is unfortunate, particularly as the club is currently leading the Serie A division.

João Victor Leaves Corinthians

Having transferred through various youth clubs, João Victor was finally promoted to the Corinthians senior team in 2019. The Brazilian centre-back left the Corinthians after loan spells with Inter de Limeira and Atlético Goianiense.

Victor leaves Corinthians to join SL Benfica in Portugal. The Portuguese team are the most successful team in the country. They consistently qualify to the UEFA Champions League and are known for developing young players and selling them to the best teams in Europe.

The same cannot be said (just yet) of Victor. The Brazilian has already been loaned out by the club to join the French Ligue 1 side, Nantes. He is yet to make an appearance for Benfica or for Nantes. However, at 24 years of age, Victor could end up being a world-beater, should his career progress that way. He joined Benfica from Corinthians for a reported €9,500,000.

João Gomes Exits Flamengo

João Gomes is the third and final transfer of the window, departing from Flamengo to join Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers. The decision to leave must not have been taken lightly, as the 21-year-old spent his entire childhood with the club, from 2009 until 2020. In 2020, Gomes was promoted to the senior team, where he played at the club for two seasons. However, in 2022, he decided to leave the club to join Wolves.

Wolverhampton Wanderers has been a regular team to feature in the English Premier League. The team is composed mostly of Portuguese speaking players, including the likes of Ruben Neves and João Moutinho. Gomes is yet another Portuguese speaking acquisition from the club.

Gomes joins Wolves from Flamengo for a massive €18,700,000. The central midfielder has already made eight league appearances for Wolves, scoring a single goal. During his three years at Flamengo, Gomes made a total of 122 appearances, scoring 4 goals for Rubro-Negro.

Brasileiro Serie A Top Transfers

The Brasileiro Serie A 2023 transfer window was undeniably eventful, showcasing a blend of iconic returns and promising departures. As the Serie A season unfolds, the true impact of these transfers will become even more apparent. Regardless of the outcomes, the dynamism and unpredictability of the transfer window has once again underscored the allure of Brazilian football.