Matheus Martins Loses Ground at Botafogo, Floated in Possible Transfer Talks

Matheus Martins, once hailed as a marquee signing for Botafogo, is now facing an uncertain future at the club. The 21-year-old forward, acquired for €10 million from Udinese in mid-2024, has struggled to secure a starting spot and is being linked with a potential swap deal involving Bahia midfielder Cauly.

Despite the departures of Luiz Henrique and Thiago Almada, Martins has yet to make a significant impact in 2025, going ten games without a goal or assist. His early promise, which included a brace against Flamengo, has faded, leading to internal discussions at the club regarding his role going forward.

Botafogo head coach Renato Paiva is said to be pushing for Cauly, a player he previously managed at Bahia. While the idea of including Martins in a trade was explored, Bahia’s ownership group, City Football Group, remains reluctant to release their trusted No. 8, who started in the team’s Libertadores opener under Rogério Ceni.

Inside Botafogo, there’s still belief that Martins can bounce back and justify the hefty investment. However, with domestic transfer window activity picking up and the need for midfield reinforcements growing, the club must weigh whether to continue betting on Martins or pursue more immediate solutions.