Houston Dynamo reportedly finalizing deal for DP winger
(image via Raul Baretta/FC)
According to a report from MLS Insider Tom Bogert, the Houston Dynamo are finalizing a deal to sign Brazilian winger Guilherme from Santos. Globo was first to report the news.
Bogert reports that the Dynamo will pay a fee in the region of $2 million. Guilherme would join the Dynamo as a Designated Player. He would be the third DP on the roster, joining Ondrej Lingr and Ezequiel Ponce. Lingr can be bought off a DP slot with allocation money, which would allow Houston to add one more Designated Player.
A 30-year-old Brazilian winger, Guilherme recently helped Santos avoid relegation from Brazil’s Serie A with five goals in their last four matches. He played alongside Neymar this season in the club’s return to the top flight after winning the Serie B in 2024. Guilherme has played for a number of clubs in his home country and also spent time in Saudi Arabia with Al-Faisaly and in the United Arab Emirates with Al-Dhafra.
Guilherme has spent time in Brazi’s Serie A and B with various levels of success. He had 9 goals and 8 assists in Santos’ title winning 2024 season in Serie B then followed that up with 4 goals and 7 assists this season in their return to the top flight where they finished in 12th place.
One thing about Guilherme that likely appealed to the Dynamo and the way that Ben Olsen likes to play is his defensive work rate. You can see on his FBref scouting report below that he is in the upper echeclon amongst attacking midfielders and wingers in defensive categories and among the best in interceptions, clearances, and aerials won.
(via FBref.com and FBcharts.com)
The question among Dynamo fans on social media seems to be something along the lines of, “why a DP who will turn 31 in April in a position we don’t need?” According to a Bogert tweet in reply to a Dynamo fan, the team plans to play Guilherme and Lawrence Ennali together. Does this mean Ennali moves to the right? Or Guilherme does? Or do the Dynamo play with two out-and-out wingers and move Jack McGlynn back into the pivot?
These are all questions that we’ll have to wait on answers for. For now, we know the Dynamo now have three “high-dollar” players on attack with Guilherme, Ponce, and Lingr, and a budding star in McGlynn. The ability to mix and match players up front around Ponce in the center should unlock a lot for this Houston offense. Guilherme is great at carrying the ball and in receiving progressive passes to break lines. Ennali became very good at this in the second half of last season and having two players with this ability out wide should be a big boost in the attack.
How do you feel about the potential signing? Let us know on social media.
