Gonzalo Tapia to Columbus Crew
Quiet since 14 July 2026. Last report: Andre Hernan. Probability when it went quiet: 4%.
Columbus Crew have put an offer on the table for Gonzalo Tapia, the 24-year-old Chile attacker, and the first bid lands at around €2m. There is a wrinkle here: the case file has Tapia contracted until the end of 2029, yet the negotiation is being framed as involving São Paulo, who are said to be slowing the talks because they want a bigger purchase option baked into the deal. An initial €1m bid has already been rejected. This is early, and the numbers are still moving. The reporting comes from Andre Hernan, a well-regarded voice who carries solid credibility. He states the MLS offer exists, that São Paulo are deliberately taking their time to push the buy option up, and that the deal "tends to evolve" over the following days. For now this rests on that single, reliable thread rather than a chorus of corroboration, so treat it as a genuine but thinly-sourced link. As it stands this is a long shot. The gap between the €1m already turned down, the €2m now floated and a market value nearer €4m tells you where the friction sits. For it to happen, Columbus need to lift their number and satisfy the demand for a stronger purchase option. Money is the whole story. Columbus have shopped in this bracket before. They paid Braga €2m in 2017 and São Paulo €1m in 2018, so a fee around €2m is squarely in keeping with how they operate. Tapia himself moved River Plate to São Paulo for €2m in 2026. Watch for Columbus to raise the offer, and for São Paulo to signal they are satisfied on the buy option. That is the trigger.
Who reported it
- Andre Hernan, 14 July 2026: 🚨🚨Tapia tem oferta da MLS como informou GE, mas o São Paulo está “cozinhando” o Columbus Crew porque quer aumentar a opção de compra. A oferta inicial é de 1.5 mi de Dólares. Neg