Flamengo: Marcos Antônio wants out, São Paulo rocked by crisis | OneFootball

São Paulo fans never get a day of peace. The saying that has become a mantra among Tricolor supporters in recent years has never been more relevant. And now, to make matters worse, here comes yet another piece of information that makes things even more complicated on the Morumbi side.

Flamengo has decided to put its support machine into action and, since Thursday afternoon (8), journalists and influencers connected to the Rio team have been dropping the bomb: Marcos Antônio has given a positive signal for a transfer to Gávea.

The news hit like a bomb among the Tricolor, as this report has learned. And it pretty much buried the attempt to reassure the fans about the stay of last year’s most important outfield player. As part of the strategy to reinforce the permanence of São Paulo’s “little engine,” information was even leaked that he would wear the number 8 shirt this year, now available after Oscar’s retirement.

But should it be “would wear”?

Well, it’s hard to say. AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned from São Paulo football sources that the information from the Flamengo side is accurate. And so is São Paulo’s. How to explain? Simple: Marcos Antônio does not oppose a move to Rio de Janeiro (SP). But he also doesn’t want any trouble with the Morumbi club. If he stays, he stays, with no hard feelings or frustrations.

This is yet another chapter in the latest soap opera currently playing out at São Paulo. And it’s directly related to the club’s negotiations to sign Allan. Quietly, it’s being said around Barra Funda that the Flamengo people set a trap. And the signs are more than clear.

After Flamengo’s football manager, José Boto, returned from Europe and gave a positive signal to negotiate Allan’s loan to Tricolor, the Rio club changed its tone after the proposal was brought to their board. And, as had been speculated since December, the attempt is to get Marcos Antônio in the deal.

This report found out that Boto gave the news to São Paulo manager Rui Costa on Thursday morning, justifying that it was a decision from his board. And that, for the midfielder, he would be willing to do more than just loan Allan. He would also give a sum of money to Tricolor for the deal. A kindness from the wealthy Cariocas to the struggling São Paulo team.

As if misfortune alone weren’t enough. Costa, who rejected Flamengo’s first approach, ended up leaking to them that things are not going well at Morumbi because of the impeachment vote for president Julio Casares, which will happen next week. To Rio journalists, the information is that all negotiations at São Paulo are on hold until then. Tricolor, of course, denies it.

Whether it’s just Flamengo posturing or not, time will tell. The fact is that the Cariocas have put their machine to work. They want Marcos Antônio and are sparing no effort. As the signs are clear this season, just look at their negotiations to get Kaio Jorge from Cruzeiro.

Rumors circulated on Thursday night suggesting that the midfielder’s agent was at the training center. Which could be another indication. Even if São Paulo exercises its right to buy the player from Lazio, who can guarantee there’s money to give Marcos Antônio a salary increase?

The midfielder is, today, without false modesty, the main piece in coach Hernán Crespo’s scheme and considered the pillar of the team for 2026. In other words, for now, São Paulo’s official stance is that there is no interest whatsoever in letting him go. At the turn of the year, word was that the Morumbi club would act and advance the payment to Lazio. But time passed and nothing was done. The problem? Money, obviously.

The player landed at Morumbi in July 2024, loaned for a season by the Italians with a purchase clause triggered if certain appearance targets were met.

Well, in July this year, after intense negotiations—since the Tricolor club was already struggling with its well-known lack of funds—São Paulo managed to get Lazio to extend the loan for another year. And the purchase, previously tied to performance, became mandatory.

Now, São Paulo has committed to shelling out 4.2 million euros (about R$27.5 million) to have Marcos Antônio permanently. The agreement stipulates payment in three annual installments, with the first due in June 2026.

With this, Tricolor claims to be protected against outside “gatecrashers” who might try to swoop in and take the midfielder from Morumbi. Of course, if the “dreaded” Flamengo really wants the player, the negotiation would be quite complex and would also have to involve the Italians, in addition to the two Brazilian clubs.

The plan is relatively simple: split the first installment in two and make the payment still in January. Secure the guarantee that the purchase is finalized once and for all. And, with Lazio’s permission, sign a definitive contract with the midfielder.

If Marcos Antônio has changed his mind and now accepts playing for Flamengo, it’s a turnaround, since before joining São Paulo, he had turned down an approach from the Cariocas.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.