Hulk to Fluminense: Tension and a 'small fortune' for free deal | OneFootball

The negotiation between Fluminense and Atlético-MG for Hulk goes beyond the field and ball. The unsustainable atmosphere in Belo Horizonte and a million-dollar contract have become the key pieces for an engineering feat that could bring the star to Rio de Janeiro.

The news, initially reported by Joana de Assis on GE, set the football market ablaze: Fluminense and Atlético-MG have opened talks about the transfer of forward Hulk. However, what seemed like a conventional market transaction turned out to be a complex plot, where financial logic and emotional strain weigh as much as the athlete's talent.

At the center of the board, an ace up the sleeve of the Atlético management appears: a release clause of around R$ 60 million. At first glance, the amount would be an insurmountable barrier for Fluminense and a guarantee for the Minas Gerais club. However, this "shield" loses strength in the face of two factors that completely change the course of the negotiations.

The first is the belligerent atmosphere that has taken over Cidade do Galo. The dissatisfaction of both parties is public and fueled by narratives that spill over into the press and social media. It has become clear: there is no longer a climate for Hulk to remain in Minas Gerais. The second factor is the legal and financial risk. The player can, ultimately, "sit on the contract" and secure his rights until the end of the term in 2026 — in addition to being able to sign a contract in the middle of the year.

In this scenario, Fluminense could gain strength to outline its strategy. The tricolor management was emphatic: it does not intend to pay for the transfer but offers an "alternative exit" for Atlético. The great asset of the Rio club is the will of the number 7 himself, who has already declared himself seduced by the sports project of Laranjeiras and expressed the desire to wear the tricolor colors.

The crux of the matter lies in the staggering figures of the current contract. Behind-the-scenes projections indicate that, between salaries and charges, keeping Hulk in the squad until the end of 2026 could cost Atlético-MG something between R$ 50 and R$ 60 million reais just that year. It is a small fortune to be spent on a dissatisfied asset, which would overburden the already struggling Minas Gerais coffers.

Thus, the perspective of the negotiation is reversed. The true "bargaining chip" for Atlético would not be receiving the release clause but the immediate saving of tens of millions of reais. An amicable exit would represent a colossal fiscal relief and the solution to an internal crisis that threatens the team's environment. For Fluminense, it would be the opportunity to sign a national idol without acquisition costs, focusing only on the player's earnings.

The final impasse now seems to rest on the table of the Atlético management, which finds itself at a crossroads: prioritize financial logic — getting rid of an astronomical cost — or maintain a stance of strength to "look good with the fans," insisting on compensation that could stall the deal and keep the loss at home.

What is known is that with pressure mounting from all sides, the next few hours will be decisive in sealing Hulk's fate.

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