São Paulo striker Willian José is set to join Santos ahead of the 2013 season, with a loan-deal all set to be announced at the end of the campaign.
Willian José, 20, is out of contract with São Paulo at the end of the season, but will be loaned from the Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado used by agent Gustavo Arribas to register his players.
With São Paulo close to striking a deal for out-of-contract Figueirense forward Aloísio, Willian’s future at the Morumbi looked bleak, but he will now look to challenge André for the main striking role at Santos.
After 11 goals in 14 state championship appearances, Willian José’s goals dried-up in the Brasileirão, as the return to fitness of Luis Fabiano limited him to largely substitute appearances.
The youngster did, though, contribute two important away goals in the club’s victory over Universidad de Chile in the recent Copa Sudamericana quarter-final clash.
The striker’s Brazilian representative Nick Acuri has denied that a deal is complete, but Lancenet insist that a move has been agreed in principal.
