The rumor linking New York City FC's Santiago Rodríguez to Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas in Brazil's Série A is gaining steam.
Last Tuesday, Brazilian streamer Canal do TF reported that Botafogo made an offer for the 25-year-old Designated Player. That report was later confirmed by Brazilian news outlet UOL.
Now Argentine transfer guru César Luis Merlo confirms the transaction, posting on X that "The final details of the transfer between clubs are already being finalized and there is already an agreement in principle with the player for a 4-year contract."
🚨Botafogo tiene negociaciones muy avanzadas para comprar el pase de Santiago Rodríguez, mediocampista 🇺🇾 del New York City FC.
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) February 9, 2025
*️⃣Ya se liman los detalles finales del traspaso entre clubes y con el futbolista ya hay un principio de acuerdo por un contrato de 4 años. pic.twitter.com/oeBcTXngFM
Luis Merlo is one of the most reliable and responsible sources for transfer news in Latin America. More often than not, his reports prove to be accurate.
Notably, Rodíguez didn't appear in either of New York City's friendlies at the Coachella Valley Invitational this past week. It was a surprise to see Rodríguez out of the lineup in both the 0-0 draw with Sporting Kansas City and the 3-1 win over San Diego FC given that he was the single most important outfield player for New York City last year. The word at Coachella was that Rodíguez was "resting," but now it seems that the attacking midfielder was sidelined as negotiations between the two clubs advanced.
Rodríguez joined New York City in 2021 and became an important part of the team that won the title that year. He left the club after the end of the 2022 season, but then rejoined as a Designated Player after the start of the 2023 season despite interest from Esporte Clube Bahia in Brazil. (Side note: Luis Merlo was the first to post that Rodríguez's return to New York City was a "done deal.")
Rodíguez became the lynchpin of the New York City attack last year, starting 40 out of a possible 43 games in all competitions. He scored 15 goals and added 10 assists in all competitions, and was voted Player of the Match a total of 10 times by Hudson River Blue readers.
The 25-year-old emerged as one of the best attacking midfielders in the league, and was poised to take a place among the Major League Soccer elite this coming season.
Instead, Rodíguez could be playing in Brazil.
Oliver Strand
