Cruzeiro and Palmeiras are targeting 31-year-old Argentine-Uruguayan centre-back Alexander Barboza, whose contract with Botafogo expires at the end of the year. Botafogo considers a renewal unlikely as negotiations were complicated by the club's financial situation and further guarantees requested by the player and his agent after a salary agreement was reached. The defender can sign a pre-contract with another club from July for a free transfer and it is understood he will remain a Botafogo player until December 31.