Manchester City are stepping up their pursuit of the 22-year-old right-winger as Enzo Maresca looks to reshape his attack following Savinho's expected £85million move to Tottenham Hotspur. Palmeiras, however, have made clear they have no intention of selling below their valuation.
Ferreira, speaking to reporters after Palmeiras' win over Vasco da Gama in the Brasileirão, was blunt in outlining why Europe's leading clubs continue to circle Allan.
"European clubs don't buy players who only attack," he said.
"These teams want players like Allan because he does what 90 per cent of the wingers here cannot do: attack and defend down the flank for 90 minutes. If they want that type of player, they have to pay €100million.
"European clubs don't buy players who only attack. So when someone comes along who can follow the play the whole time, play as a right-back — as was the case against Miami — position himself in a back three out on the flank and rotate inside… everyone wants that type of player.
"But you have to educate them, develop them and, if necessary, lose a few matches along the way."
Allan has scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in 96 appearances for Palmeiras, and City had an opening proposal worth €25million plus €5million in add-ons rejected earlier in the window. Despite Ferreira's stance on the €100million release clause, City are understood to believe a deal closer to €40million can still be reached, with Palmeiras keen to retain the player until January before their resistance softened amid Manchester City's need for a Savinho replacement.
City's pursuit of Allan comes at the end of a turbulent transfer window that has already seen the club sell Rodri to Barcelona and lose several fringe players keen on regular football elsewhere. Should the move be completed, Allan would arrive at the Etihad Stadium as one of City's most significant investments in a South American talent since Savinho's own move from Girona.
Allan's versatility has been central to Palmeiras' resistance in negotiations. Predominantly deployed on the right flank, where he cuts inside onto his favoured foot, he has also been used at right-back and within a back three under Ferreira, a tactical flexibility the Brazilian coach clearly regards as central to his value on the open market.
Tottenham's move for Savinho, meanwhile, is understood to be edging closer to completion, with the Brazilian winger having made 48 appearances during his debut season in England after arriving from Girona. His departure would leave City short of attacking width, adding urgency to their efforts to convince Palmeiras that a fee below the release clause represents fair value.
With the deadline approaching, City face a familiar negotiation: convincing a selling club that its prized asset, however gifted, has a ceiling on his market value that falls short of the figure being publicly demanded.