Flamengo is strongly entering the race to sign Thiago Almada, offering superior financial terms to River Plate, while the player evaluates offers from European football.
Flamengo‘s board makes no secret that it is active in the transfer market seeking big names to elevate the squad’s level. The current focus is on attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, a star for the Argentina national team. With victorious spells in Brazilian football in 2024, when he won the Brazilian Serie A and the Copa Libertadores playing for Botafogo, the player has become a priority target behind the scenes at Gávea.
The competition, however, will not be simple. River Plate also desires the player, but Rubro-Negro believes it can gain an advantage in negotiations. The Rio de Janeiro club has prepared an offer with more attractive payment conditions, focusing on a smaller purchase installment plan than what the Argentines offered. The information, initially reported by the portal “Coluna do Fla”, positions Mais Querido as a strong contender on the South American scene.
The European Factor and the Player’s Caution
Despite the concrete interest, Thiago Almada‘s desire is clear: the midfielder prioritizes staying in European football. Currently, the player is focused on the World Cup semifinal, where Argentina faces England. This scenario puts negotiations on hold, as the player awaits offers from the Old Continent that meet his professional and financial expectations.
Should European inquiries not progress, the doors at Gávea become a real alternative. The player’s recent history on Brazilian soil, added to Flamengo‘s ambitious sporting project, are trump cards that the Rio de Janeiro board intends to leverage to convince the star to return to the country.
Behind the Scenes and José Boto’s Mystery
Internal optimism at Ninho do Urubu is notable, albeit veiled. During the series of friendly matches held in Portugal, football director José Boto dropped hints about the complexity of negotiations involving the Argentine’s name and the interest from the Buenos Aires club.
“Are you sure that’s true? That he’s going to River Plate? I’m not. Now, is that true? Are you sure that’s true? I’m not.”
José Boto‘s stance reinforces that, for Flamengo, nothing is decided. With the “Raça, Amor e Paixão” (Guts, Love, and Passion) that drives the Rubro-Negro fans, the expectation now revolves around the player’s performance in the World Cup and the next steps from his staff. The outcome of this saga promises to stir things up in the coming days and define a major reinforcement for the season.
