The conflict reaches a new level.
Bitello is considering moving – the political situation and salary influence
Dynamo was very lucky with Bitello – the Muscovites scored 10 out of 10 with this transfer. They took the midfielder from Gremio for 10 million euros, signed a long-term contract (until the summer of 2028) and the footballer immediately proved himself as. the leader of the attack on the Muscovites. Bitello is a solid starter for the club, who can compete for medals and even a title in the future. Despite this, rumors emerged over the winter about the possibility of his departure.
Initially, it was noted that the midfielder wanted to change teams for two reasons. First, he was reportedly concerned about the political situation between Russia and Ukraine. During the transition to Dynamo, Bitello was convinced that the special operation would be completed more quickly. The agent of the Brazilian Maikel Portela adheres to the same version – here is what he later said:
Bitello’s departure from Dynamo is possible. When we went to Russia, we didn’t think the SVO would be delayed. We thought we could play for Dynamo in other tournaments.
Secondly, according to rumors, the footballer, who had established himself as a leader, would have liked to improve the terms of his contract. It was noted that the player’s agent contacted the club with a request to increase his client’s salary to a level comparable to the income of Brazilian legionnaires Zenit.
Botafogo wants to take advantage of the situation, the Blue and White hold on
In this context, the Brazilian club Botafogo joined the negotiations. Initially, its management approached Dynamo with an offer of 10 million euros, but the Muscovites rejected it, as this amount was far from meeting their needs. At the same time, another Brazilian team was interested in the possibility of a transfer – they had already offered 12 million euros, but they also refused this offer.
After all, we are talking about the leader of the “blue and white”. According to the latest data, Muscovites do not want to lose the midfielder for less than 30 million euros. After all, this is the main footballer that Muscovites rely on. The Brazilians resumed negotiations after the New Year – at the same time they offered Dynamo 13 million euros and began to think about Claudinho’s candidacy. Muscovites were not satisfied with this option either.
It is quite possible that Botafogo hoped to play on Bitello’s discontent, this would allow the negotiations to be approached from a position of strength. But the “blue and white” do not give in and remain calm. This is what Dmitry Gafin, chairman of the club’s board of directors, noted at the beginning of December:
Bitello is a player of our club, he has a contract which will last until 2028. We are in a calm situation on this subject. Improved contractual conditions? There have been such conversations.
Since then, there has been no panic.
Did not come to the Dynamo training camp, Muscovites are ready to go to court
But the footballer himself decided to go even further and did not appear at the Dynamo site when the players returned from vacation. It was noted that the Brazilian was not part of the general group for the medical examination. The club’s chief doctor, Alexander Rodionov, said he would join the club later. On January 13, the team was scheduled to travel to a training camp in Qatar. It was noted that the midfielder missed a medical due to negotiations with Botafogo.
According to the latest data, Dynamo informed the footballer that he would be prosecuted if he voluntarily left for Botafogo. Bitello will also face a six-month disqualification and a $25 million fine (the latter in the event of unilateral termination of the contract). At the same time, Botafogo is preparing another proposal for the transfer of the midfielder – already the third. The club probably expects Dynamo to accept the proposed terms due to pressure from the player. But a few days before, an insider revealed that the “blue and whites” were ready to negotiate to improve the terms of Bitello’s contract.
Without a playmaker, there is no hope of medals
The midfielder spent both seasons at a consistently high level – he scored eight goals and provided one assist last year, and in the current season he has already scored one goal and provided eight assists. Dynamo’s offensive play is linked to the skills of the Brazilian playmaker: he is a system-forming player, part of the strike force.
The team lacks balance between attack and defense, so the breakthrough of the previous season cannot be developed. The club did not strengthen its defense, except for the goalkeeper position, and in this context it fell out of the top three. Currently, the Blue and White are weaker than the top three teams. Krasnodar became more stable under Musaev and combined Galitsky’s ideas with Ivich’s pragmatism. “Spartak” invests in strengthening and trusts the coach, and “Zenit” is “Zenith”.
Additionally, Lokomotiv and CSKA. That these and others are capable of reaching Dynamo in the future and even competing for the top three. Blue and White is in no hurry to strengthen its problematic positions. And here, there is a serious risk of finding yourself without your playmaker.
Now Dynamo is in a bind. Bitello cannot be abandoned, he is a top actor. In addition, Botafogo offers little. But the midfielder, it seems, is no longer seen among the Muscovites. If you don’t give it on time, you risk having a demoralized player in the spring who will stop making a difference on the field, but his salary will remain the same. You have to choose the lesser of two evils.
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