Al-Ahli, a club from Saudi Arabia, rejected the offers made by Botafogo and Vasco for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder Matheus Gonçalves. The player's intention is to return to Brazilian football in search of more playing time, and his agents continue trying to secure his release to either of the two Brazilian teams, although the scenario is considered unlikely.
Since the season resumed, Al-Ahli has taken the field eight times, but Matheus Gonçalves was used in only two matches, both as a substitute in the second half. In total, the player accumulated just 38 minutes on the field this season, with no goal contributions. According to people close to the player, he is physically fit, but has not been playing due to the foreign player limit allowed by the Saudi club.
Al-Ahli is going through an unstable phase, with changes in the board of directors and a balanced performance in the Saudi league, with three wins and three losses. The initial idea of Botafogo and Vasco was to sign Matheus Gonçalves through a loan with an option to buy from the Saudi club.
