Flamengo director of football José Boto casts doubt on Thiago Almada’s potential move to River Plate and reinforces the club’s policy of financial austerity in the transfer market.
The transfer market remains active during the 2026 World Cup, but not all rumors are treated as facts within the halls of Gávea. In an interview with journalist Raflamello, Flamengo’s director of football, José Boto, expressed skepticism regarding reports of an alleged deal between Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada and River Plate.
The executive questioned the reliability of the information circulating in the international press.
“Are you sure that’s true? That he’s going to River Plate? I’m not. Perhaps River made an offer, right? But is it true? I don’t have that confirmation,” the director noted, showing caution regarding the outcome of negotiations involving the athlete.
A grounded approach
When asked why Flamengo did not pursue the signing of Almada, José Boto was emphatic in defending the management’s financial responsibility. While acknowledging the technical quality of the midfielder—who had a brilliant stint at Botafogo in 2024—the director made it clear that the club does not intend to make astronomical investments that fall outside their financial reality.
“Thiago Almada, like other players, is the type of athlete who fits at Flamengo. However, for them to come, there must be very specific conditions. We cannot go around spending over 40 million. We can’t, because that is not sustainable for the club,” the director declared, refuting any notion that the club would enter bidding wars for high-profile names just to satisfy external pressure.
Negotiation landscape
While Flamengo monitors the market strategically, River Plate is attempting to finalize the player’s arrival. Information reported by journalist Germán García of TyC Sports indicates that the Argentine club reached an agreement with Atlético de Madrid to acquire 50% of Almada’s economic rights in a deal valued at around 20 million euros (approximately R$ 117 million).
The midfielder’s destination, however, remains uncertain, with a final decision expected only after the conclusion of the World Cup. For Flamengo, the focus remains on reinforcements that address specific needs requested by the coaching staff and that do not compromise the club’s financial health, consolidating the cautious stance adopted by the board this transfer window.
