Flamengo talks for Thiago Almada continue amid River Plate competition | OneFootball

Flamengo remain in talks to sign Atlético de Madrid midfielder Thiago Almada in this window, with River Plate re-entering the race. The Argentine trained on Wednesday at the Estádio Municipal de Can Misses in Ibiza.

"I did not go to Argentina to convince Almada, because it would be stupid on his part if I had to. He played in Brazil for six months and knows how big Flamengo are. I dealt with several matters there, one of them was Almada," said football director José Boto, speaking to Coluna Do Fla.

"We will not enter into auctions with other clubs that are interested, or with those pretending they are. Do you know how many €20 million or bigger transfers there have been in Brazilian football? Seven. Two by Flamengo, two by Palmeiras, two by Botafogo and one by Cruzeiro. All in the last two years. Only four Brazilian clubs have operated at that level."

Flamengo had advanced talks and were optimistic about closing a deal, but River Plate have now made an offer. Inside the Rio club, delays are viewed as an attempt to raise the fee, and the midfielder is also waiting in case a European proposal arrives.

Flamengo aim to finalise an agreement this week, with the Conmebol registration deadline for the Libertadores last 16 at 18:00 Brasília time on Saturday 8. They face Cruzeiro on Wednesday 12 at 21:30 at the Mineirão, with the return on Wednesday 19 at the same time at the Maracanã.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”