Cruzeiro backs away from Brian Rodríguez signing on the eve of the Copa Libertadores
The approach of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 has intensified the race for reinforcements across South American soccer. In Brazil, Cruzeiro has announced a significant shift in its transfer dealings.
On Tuesday (4), the club officially announced it is no longer pursuing the signing of Uruguayan forward Brian Rodríguez, who currently plays for Mexico’s América.
The decision by Raposa caught many market observers by surprise. The club had submitted three formal bids to the Mexican side, the final one reaching 12 million euros (approximately 70 million BRL), but América demanded an even higher fee to release the player.
Investigation and Plan B at Mineirão
Cruzeiro’s withdrawal may have been prompted by an ongoing investigation in Mexico involving Brian Rodríguez regarding harassment allegations, as reported by ESPN.
This information reportedly led the Minas Gerais club to reconsider the terms of the deal. According to Rádio Itatiaia, the player’s representatives expressed surprise at Cruzeiro’s decision to pull out.
While negotiations with Rodríguez have cooled, Cruzeiro remains active in the transfer market. The club is monitoring the situation of forward Lucho Rodríguez, currently with Neom SC in Saudi Arabia.
The goal is to fill gaps left by the injuries to Gabriel Pec and Sinisterra.
Flamengo’s Situation and the Libertadores Clash
In contrast, Flamengo, also preparing for the Libertadores round of 16, is facing its own challenges in the market. The club is looking to bolster its squad with names like Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique.
However, good news for the rubro-negro supporters is that Lucas Paquetá has been cleared by the medical department, making him an option for the first leg against Cruzeiro, scheduled for August 12.
Before the crucial Libertadores matchup, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brazilian Serie A. The team will face Vitória this Sunday (9) at 7:30 PM (Brasília time) at the Maracanã.
The match will be broadcast on Premiere. The activity in the transfer market and the proximity of key Libertadores clashes promise to make the coming weeks even more intense for Brazilian soccer.
