Future of former Portsmouth favourite Gustavo Caballero unclear following Santos development

Gustavo Caballero’s hopes of an immediate European return following his Pompey loan stint could be dashed.

Reports from Brazil claim the winger could end up remaining with parent club Santos after the forward reported back to their Rei Pele training centre on Monday following his World Cup exploits with Paraguay.

That’s despite the player’s agent, Diego Serrati, stating it was his intention to get Caballero a club back on this side of the Atlantic, after a positive three-month stay at Fratton Park over the second half of last season.

Caballero has also spoken about his ambition to head back to Europe.

Santos weighing up keeping Caballero

New Santos manager Alexi Stival, or Cuca as he is better known. is apparently keen to integrate the 24-year-old back into his Peixe ranks.

It’s believed he sees value in the pace and versatility Caballero possesses, qualities he believes will be crucial for Santos over the second half of their Brasileirão campaign, which is currently on a mid-season break.

Santos, who sit 16th in the table, return to action on Thursday with a trip to Botafoga. There’s a real possibility Caballero - who has three years remaining on his contract - could feature in that game, less than two weeks after helping Paraguay reach the Round of 16 at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Santos’ financial difficulties

Whatever stance Santos take on Caballero will be impacted by the current transfer embargo that has been placed on the club.

FIFA imposed a ban on them for three transfer windows after they failed to pay Monaco the R$12 million they owe for the signing of Jean Lucas.

And with debts in excess R$1bn, they don’t have the capability of strengthening Cuca’s ranks.

Caballero could help solve that, with the Paraguayan registered with Santos before the transfer ban was put in place.

However, the Brazilian side also see the player as a highly-valued market asset following his two appearances at the World Cup.

It’s been claimed that Santos received enquiries for the winger during the tournament. If official offers emerge, then they will consider them if it helps the financial distress that the club is currently under.

Pompey rule out Caballero return

Pompey opted against triggering the reported £2.5m exclusive transfer clause that was inserted into Caballero’s Blues contract when he made the loan move to Fratton Park in February.

They believed the valuation wasn’t a true representation of the forward’s market value and let the clause deadline pass without taking any action.

Reaffirming that stance, sporting director Rich Hughes told The News last week that Pompey were now looking elsewhere to bolster their wide options.

He said: ‘Gus did well for us, he had an impact, it’s really nice to see him do well at the World Cup, but it’s not one we are actively pursuing.

‘He had an impact, there was always this natural point around finding value in the market. He then had that injury at the back end of the season.

‘As much as he had an impact for us, we didn’t see that level to make us want to really pursue that deal at that moment. That’s not to say that doesn’t come back around, but the initial feeling at the minute is not to pursue it.’

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