Flamengo has ended negotiations for midfielder Thiago Almada following delays in the player’s response, while River Plate moves closer to signing the Argentine.
Flamengo’s search for marquee signings in the current transfer market has suffered a significant setback. After weeks of negotiations and a salary proposal that would have exceeded the wages of any other player on the squad, the Rio de Janeiro club has decided to move on from Thiago Almada. The player, who was a top priority for the front office, is now heading toward a return to Argentine football, this time to join River Plate.
The outcome is a major frustration for the Flamengo leadership, which remained optimistic until last week. According to reports from the M360 Team, the club reached its financial limit with its offer and refused to turn the negotiations into a bidding war—a stance taken by the midfielder’s camp that caused discomfort behind the scenes at Ninho do Urubu.
Squad management and financial limits
The club’s strategy was defined by prudence. Management feared that an astronomical salary for Almada could cause internal imbalance and resentment among the squad’s key players, who are currently seeking contract renewals and pay increases. Director José Boto was firm during a trip to Argentina in stating that Flamengo would not raise the offered figures.
The board concluded that the offer had already stretched the budget beyond what was planned, considering its financial limitations for the transfer window and the risk of creating internal salary disparities.
Family factors and preference for River Plate
Beyond the financial issues, Thiago Almada’s personal wishes weighed heavily on the final decision. The player, a product of Vélez Sarsfield, had always signaled that if he were not to remain in Europe, his priority would be to return to his home country. His reluctance to move to Rio de Janeiro, combined with River Plate’s persistence in providing the guarantees required by Atlético de Madrid, were the decisive factors in the progress of talks with the Buenos Aires club.
A change in transfer strategy
With the negotiations cooling down, Flamengo has redirected its attention to other market opportunities, focusing efforts on the signing of Luiz Henrique. The internal assessment is that the club could not wait indefinitely for Almada’s ‘yes,’ as the feasibility of securing both players simultaneously was considered highly unlikely.
Now, the focus returns to strengthening the squad for the upcoming matches of the season. Movement in the transfer market remains intense, with the board seeking players who fit not only the tactical plan but also the budgetary reality the club aims to maintain for the coming years.
M360 Team
