Flamengo has accelerated its search for reinforcements and is close to securing the signings of forwards Anthony Valencia and Joaquín Freitas, aiming to register the players for the Libertadores quarterfinals.
After a period of instability in the transfer market and the frustration of failed negotiations, Flamengo has finally identified the names needed to refresh Leonardo Jardim‘s squad.
With their sights set on the final stretch of the season, the club’s board is working under urgency to register the two new forwards before the deadline set by CONMEBOL.
This race against the clock aims to ensure that the new signings are available for the start of the Libertadores quarterfinals.
To achieve this, the bureaucratic processes must be completed by next Friday, ensuring the duo is included in the continental tournament’s registration list.
Anthony Valencia arrives in Rio de Janeiro
Forward Anthony Valencia, formerly of Royal Antwerp, has already landed in Rio de Janeiro.
The 23-year-old is viewed as the direct replacement for Plata, who has moved to Russian football.
After undergoing medical exams on Sunday, the Ecuadorian is heading to Ninho do Urubu on Monday to finalize his contract with the club.
If the documentation is processed quickly with the BID, there is an expectation that the right-winger could be called up for the match against Mirassol in the Brazilian Serie A.
Joaquín Freitas: the new rubro-negro gamble
Complementing the moves, Joaquín Freitas, a 19-year-old rising talent, arrives from Argentina to bolster the attacking unit.
Coming from River Plate, the forward stands out for his versatility and speed—characteristics the coaching staff had been seeking since the departure of Gabigol.
The club expects both players to be officially unveiled by Thursday, marking a significant boost following pressure from both internal and external scrutiny.
Leonardo Jardim stated in a recent interview, as reported by the M360 team:
There will be two players; the club knows the squad has this need. What we have discussed is seeking players with a profile similar to those who left. What I always suggest to the club is the profile. With that profile, we will have the answers we want to provide in every match, so we don’t have the same type of players for the same positions.
The impact of these arrivals will be fundamental to Flamengo‘s ambitions for the remainder of 2026.
Beyond the continental competition, the Rubro-Negro remains fully focused on the Brazilian Serie A, where they are looking to cement their position among the league leaders.
The fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of the new signings, who arrive with the mission of elevating the offensive level of the team led by Jardim.
M360 Team
