Article by Sergiu Alexandru – Published Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 1:20 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 1:20 p.m.
After finishing the year in 6th place, with 33 points in 21 games, a hectic winter is coming for the Steel. Rapidly, FCSB and clubs abroad are on the trail of Laszlo Balint's players, but the management has other plans.
The Galatians have impressed in the first part of the season, but nevertheless the club is going through difficult times from a financial point of view, and the coming days will be decisive in terms of the rest of the season.
The Steel do not want to sell their players
At the moment, Oțelul has three players who have attracted the interest of several clubs, both from the domestic championship and from abroad. The first is Joao Lameira, the 26-year-old Portuguese midfielder who has impressed this season. FCSB want him, while Polish side Widzew Lodz are already in advanced talks. Steel wants at least 600,000 euros, plus 25% of a future transfer.
FCSB is also interested in Joao Paulo (central midfielder from Cape Verde), a footballer whom Rapid also wants. And the left defender Conrado is also on the list of the two teams.
Joao Paulo can only leave Oțelul after the World Cup // PHOTO: Imago Images
But the Galatians have other plans. According to Gazeta Sporturilor information, the club does not want to give up any player except as a last resort. In the coming days, the management will try to raise funds to solve the financial problems and even want to make some more transfers.
“If we don't lose the basic players and bring two or three more footballers, we enter the play-offs” is the message circulating inside the club.
Joao Paulo can leave only after the World Cup
If financial resources are not found, Oțelul is ready to give up only one player: Joao Lameira, especially since the Poles are ready to offer the amount desired by the Galatians.
Instead, for Joao Paulo Steel is not willing to negotiate now. This even if the Poles from Widzew Lodz were impressed by him when they watched Lameira and inquired under what conditions they could transfer him.
Discussions about the transfer of Joao Paulo will only take place in the summer, after the World Championship. The midfielder will participate in the final tournament with the Cape Verde national team, and the Galatasaray hope that he will impress and attract bigger offers.
“He will play against Yamal, who is used in the national team as a left back. All eyes will be on him and if he plays well, as we know he can, surely bigger offers will come,” GSP sources explained.
- Joao Lameira (26 years old) is quoted at 900,000 euros. He has been with the Steel since January 2024 and has a contract until 2027. He played 19 games this season, scoring three times.
- Joao Paulo (27 years old) is quoted at 700,000 euros. He plays for the Cape Verde national team, and he came to Oțelul in the summer. He has 20 games this season with a goal and an assist to his credit.
