Bahia Gives Atlanta United a Firm “No” and Shows Why Biel Is Worth More Than $8M

Bahia has just made it crystal clear that they're not interested in lowball offers. When Atlanta United comes knocking with three consecutive bids for Biel, it's a sign they genuinely believe in his potential. But the burning question is: why did Bahia turn down an $8 million offer? The issue here goes far beyond money.

It's no secret that Brazilian soccer thrives on exporting talent, often for prices that, let's be honest, don’t truly reflect the quality of our players. However, when a club like Bahia, which has been growing in both structure and ambition, rejects an offer of this magnitude, the message is clear: Biel is worth more. And it’s not just about his goals, assists, and on-field performances—it's about what he represents for the team.

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Sure, Biel isn’t a guaranteed starter, but sometimes, a player’s impact goes way beyond what happens on the pitch. Biel is one of those cases. Since he arrived at Bahia from Fluminense, with a stint at Grêmio under his belt, he has cemented his place as a key figure in the squad. His 41 appearances this season, along with five goals and ten assists, show he’s the kind of player you can count on when the going gets tough.

So why, then, reject an $8 million offer? Bahia, a team fighting hard in the final stages of the Brasileirão and the Copa do Brasil, knows that losing a player like Biel right now would be a huge setback. The club’s management understands that selling anyone in this critical moment could destabilize the squad and jeopardize their season goals.

Moreover, there’s an element of pride and strategy at play. Accepting an offer below market value could send a message of weakness—that Bahia is still a club that lets its best players go for the first decent offer that comes along. But Bahia is no longer that club that sells its top talents for peanuts. Rejecting Atlanta United’s offer is, in fact, a show of strength and a vision for the future.

At 23, Biel is at a pivotal point in his career. He’s already shown he can shine in big moments, but there’s still a lot more to discover. Players like him are rare, and that’s why Bahia wants to make sure that when they do decide to sell, it’s for a price that truly reflects his talent and potential.

Atlanta United’s interest only reinforces this perception. Not just any MLS club would make three consecutive bids for a player. And we’re not talking about chump change here. The last offer of $8 million would be tempting for many Brazilian clubs. But for Bahia, that amount just isn’t enough.

And what about Pachuca? Although the Mexican club has also shown interest, the fact that they haven't made a formal offer like Atlanta United suggests they’re still trying to figure out Biel’s true value. However, what really matters here is Bahia’s focus on keeping its players during this crucial part of the season. For the management, keeping Biel in the squad is vital for the club’s ambitions in the Brasileirão and the Copa do Brasil.

How many talents have been sold for what seemed like fair prices at first, only for clubs to later realize they undersold? Bahia doesn’t want to repeat those past mistakes. They want to avoid the regret that many clubs have felt when they see their former players thriving abroad and think, “We could have gotten more.”

So, Bahia’s decision isn’t just about the money. It’s about the future, about positioning in the market, and, most importantly, about respect for the player and the club. Bahia’s refusal to sell Biel for $8 million is a bet on the future. It’s the certainty that this player still has much to offer and that when it’s time for him to leave, it will be for a price that truly reflects his talent and what he means to the club. Bahia is keeping its eyes wide open and knows exactly what they’ve got on their hands.