Palmeiras had the opportunity to sign 25-year-old Paraguayan centre-back Roberto Fernández from Dínamo Moscou. The club decided to put the operation on hold due to optimism that they will be able to sign Nino from Zenit from the middle of the year. This same reason reportedly led Palmeiras to not advance in other negotiations, including for Morato of Nottingham Forest and Ibañez of Al-Ahli. Fernández joined his current club in July 2022 and has made 11 appearances in the Premier Liga this season. His contract is valid until June 2029, and his Transfermarkt market value is currently €2.80m.