Botafogo advances for Pedro Bicalho and prepares a new purchase proposal for Qarabag By Thiago Lemos
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Botafogo presented a new proposal to Qarabag to hire midfielder Pedro Bicalho, aged 24, on a permanent basis. The first attempt, based on a loan with an obligation to purchase targets, was refused by the Azerbaijão club, which demanded immediate payment. The black and white board is maintaining active conversations and plans to meet the financial requirement in the next few hours.
The player and his representatives showed clear interest in returning to Brazilian football. The possibility of playing for the current champion of Libertadores motivates Pedro Bicalho, who has already approved the project presented by the football department of Botafogo.
⚠️ Botafogo made a loan proposal for the steering wheel Pedro Bicalho, from Qarabag.
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Another midfielder that Glorioso is negotiating to hire is Júlio Romão, from Ferencváros.
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Midfielder’s trajectory in European football
Pedro In 2022, he was loaned to Santa Clara, from Portugal.
The following year, he defended Vitória at Brasil before returning to Europa. Atualmente in Qarabag since the middle of 2025, has accumulated high regularity in the season.
- He played in 23 of the 24 possible games for the Azerbaijani club
- He was a starter in the 4-2 defeat to Ajax by Liga of Campeões
- Accumulate passages through Alverca-POR before Qarabag
Position of Qarabag in negotiations
The Azerbaijão club announced that it only accepts negotiations with a fixed value in cash. The refusal of the loan model with performance clauses blocked the first black and white proposal.
The Azerbaijani board values the player’s continued presence in the team and intends to profit from the transfer. Qarabag is currently competing in the group stage of Liga of Campeões and leads the national championship.
The European club’s firm stance forces Botafogo to increase the initial investment. The parties remain in permanent contact to define the final values of the operation.
Internal competition in the black and white midfield
Interest in Pedro Bicalho does not interrupt negotiations for Júlio Romão, of Ferencváros. The football department works in parallel on both fronts.
The arrival of the two midfielders is part of the planning for 2026. The club is looking for greater depth in the sector after competing in the Mundial of Clubes.
Coach Renato Portaluppi approves the athletes’ profiles. The board intends to announce reinforcements in the first weeks of January.
Recent numbers of Pedro Bicalho
The midfielder played 23 matches in the 2025/2026 season for Qarabag. Apresenta average of 78 minutes per game when starting as a starter.
He directly participated in three goals in the European and national campaign. Regularity has increased the player’s market value in recent months.
The numbers reinforce the positive assessment made by Botafogo staff. The Rio club has been following the athlete since his time at Palmeiras.
Next steps in the transfer window
Botafogo awaits a formal response from Qarabag regarding the new proposal sent this week. The internal expectation is to close the agreement in December.
If confirmed, Pedro Bicalho undergoes medical examinations at Rio of Janeiro shortly after Natal. The official presentation takes place together with the other reinforcements for the pre-season.
The black and white board maintains secrecy about the amounts involved. The deal depends exclusively on the green light from the Azerbaijani club in the next negotiations.
Reinforcements planned for midfield
The sector receives special attention in planning for 2026. Além of Pedro Bicalho and Júlio Romão, other names remain monitored.
The technical committee asked for at least three pieces for the position. The competition for places increases with the arrival of new athletes.
Botafogo starts pre-season on January 6th. Todos those hired fully participate in the preparation for the Campeonato Carioca and Recopa Sul-Americana.