Cruzeiro agrees to sell Kauã Prates to Borussia Dortmund in a million-dollar negotiation worth 12 million euros

Cruzeiro have finalized a significant agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of young 17-year-old left-back Kauã Prates. The negotiation, which was consolidated in the last few days, was sealed for a fixed amount of 12 million euros, which is equivalent to around R$75 million at the current price. The Minas Gerais club accepted the terms presented by the German team after having rejected two previous offers, considered insufficient by the board.

The conversations intensified last Monday, January 26, 2026, when Borussia Dortmund adjusted the proposal to guarantee the contracting of the celestial promise. The German club’s scouting department had been monitoring the player since mid-2025, a period in which Prates began to stand out in the Cruzeiro main team. The transaction received the approval of coach Tite, who understood the financial importance of the operation for the club’s coffers.

The structure of the agreement provides for additional clauses that may increase the total value of the transfer. Cruzeiro guaranteed the maintenance of a percentage on a future sale of the athlete, a mechanism known as surplus value. Essa condition protects the training club and allows additional profit if the player gains value in European football, a bet considered safe given the potential demonstrated by the young athlete.

Planning for the athlete’s transition

Despite the agreement being signed between the clubs, Kauã Prates will not move to Alemanha immediately. Conforme the FIFA regulations for transfers of underage athletes, the full-back can only be officially registered by Borussia Dortmund when he turns 18, on August 12th. Portanto, he will remain acting for Cruzeiro throughout the first semester.

This temporary stay is seen as strategic for both the player and the Minas Gerais club. Cruzeiro will be able to count on his talent in the decisive phases of Campeonato Mineiro and the beginning of Campeonato Brasileiro, while Prates gains more professional experience before his move to Europa. The board of directors of Dortmund agreed with the schedule and will send a medical team to Brasil to carry out the examinations necessary to sign the pre-contract.

Financial details of the trade

The Cruzeiro board demonstrated firmness during the negotiations by rejecting initial proposals that did not reach the desired level. The first offer from the German team was approximately 10 million euros, a value that was gradually increased until it reached a fixed 12 million euros. Essa stance reflects the new policy of celestial management to maximize the value of its assets formed at the base.

The sale of Kauã Prates will become one of the most profitable in the club’s recent history, injecting a fundamental resource towards balancing the annual budget. Esse amount will allow not only the payment of financial commitments, but also the investment in specific reinforcements to qualify the main squad. The transaction also establishes a partnership to exchange training methodologies between the two clubs.

The player’s contract with the German club will be valid until June 2031, a long contract that demonstrates Borussia Dortmund’s confidence in his development. Além of the fixed amount, the agreement includes bonuses for goals achieved, such as number of games played and eventual call-ups to the main Brazilian team, which can further increase the earnings for Cruzeiro in the coming years. The transition was planned so that the athlete reaches Alemanha fully adapted to the competitive rhythm.

The trajectory of Kauã Prates in Cruzeiro

Born in Montanha, at Espírito Santo, Kauã Prates joined the youth teams at Cruzeiro in 2019 and quickly stood out for his technical quality and tactical maturity. Ele became one of the main references of his generation, skipping stages in his training process and attracting the attention of international observers from an early age.

His great moment of affirmation occurred in the last edition of Copa São Paulo of Futebol Júnior, where, even at just 16 years old, he was one of the team’s main highlights. His debut with the professional team didn’t take long and took place under the command of coach Leonardo Jardim, who publicly praised his ability to adapt and intelligence on the field.

Versatility is one of his greatest assets, as in addition to playing as a left-back, his original position, he can also play roles as a winger and even a third defender. Até At the moment, he has played 12 official matches for the main team and has already scored one goal. Suas call-ups to the Brasil youth teams, including winning a South American under-17 title, only confirmed his status as a great promise.

The process of developing Prates into Toca from Raposa was complete, involving cutting-edge psychological, nutritional and physical support. Seus performance rates have always been above average for his age group, which facilitated his transition to professional football. Especialistas in market analysis highlights his precision in crossing and his quick defensive recovery as differentiators in the current scenario.

The impact on the celestial cast

With Kauã Prates’s departure scheduled for the middle of the season, the Cruzeiro football department has already started mapping the market in search of a replacement part for the left-back. Atualmente, the squad has Kaiki as the main alternative for the position, but the coaching staff understands the need to have more options for an extensive and competitive calendar.

The focus of the search is on the South American market, where the club hopes to find an athlete with a similar technical profile and who fits into the institution’s financial reality. The proceeds from the sale of Prates will give Cruzeiro greater negotiating power to bring in a qualified replacement without compromising long-term financial planning.

The Borussia Dortmund strategy

Borussia Dortmund has consolidated its reputation in world football as a club that specializes in identifying and developing young talent. The signing of Kauã Prates follows the same line of successful deals, such as those that involved players like Jude Bellingham and The Brazilian player’s staff believes that Bundesliga, known for its intense and offensive game, is the ideal environment for the development of his skills.

Expectations at Europa

The expectation at Borussia Dortmund is that Kauã Prates will go through an initial adaptation period, possibly joining the under-23 squad or actively participating in the pre-season with the main team. The German club has a policy of granting minutes on the field to its young recruits gradually, depending on their performance in training. Enquanto That’s it, Cruzeiro fans say goodbye to yet another jewel, with the hope that he will still contribute to important achievements before leaving for Alemanha.