Flamengo agree player's move to Benfica | OneFootball

Alan Santos, who even played for Flamengo’s first team, is heading to Portugal

Another youngster from Flamengo’s youth ranks is on his way to Portuguese football. This Friday (14), the Rubro-Negro agreed to send forward Alan Santos to Benfica, in Portugal. The 19-year-old will still have a percentage of his rights tied to the Most Beloved.

According to the pages ‘Flazoeiro’ and ‘FlaBase’, Flamengo will not receive a fee for the transfer, but will keep 50% of a future sale. According to journalist Venê Casagrande, Flamengo decided to negotiate the player because they understood Alan Santos would not have space in Leonardo Jardim’s squad.

As no better offers arrived, Flamengo decided to release the player in the hope that, one day, that 50% will be worth more than 100% in the future. Alan Santos will initially strengthen Benfica’s B team and, if he shines, will be promoted to the main squad.

WHAT ARE ALAN SANTOS’ NUMBERS AT FLAMENGO?

Alan Santos has three official appearances for Flamengo, with no goals or assists. Those matches took place at the start of the year, when Mengão opted to use the under-20 team for the opening matches of the Campeonato Carioca. In addition, the forward was part of the mid-season training camp in Portugal, but failed to ‘win over’ Leonardo Jardim.

The forward stood out in this year’s Under-20 Libertadores, when Flamengo finished in second place. Alan Santos was the player in the competition with the most goal involvements in the tournament: three goals and one assist. In the top scorers’ ranking, he finished in second place.

A ‘CLEARANCE SALE’ TO PORTUGAL?

In 2026, Flamengo agreed to other free departures while keeping a percentage, also to Portugal. The most recent of them was Rayan Lucas, the new signing for Alverca (POR). Another case was Kaio Nóbrega, who joined Estoril (POR). David Viana, meanwhile, signed with Portimonense.

SO, WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION AFTER ALL?

— It’s a ‘double-edged sword,’ this situation. Do you keep the player, who will never have space and will only lose value? Or do you let him go for free and hope he breaks out in Europe and brings financial compensation? It’s not a simple solution. But is there really no way for Flamengo to get even a measly one million euros? Or reais, for that matter? —, Pedro Paulo Catonho began.

— Alan Santos has shown that he has potential, if he is developed patiently. He is only 19 years old. We have a recent example in André Luiz: he wasn’t useful for Flamengo, but he was sold for 500 thousand euros to Portugal in 2024 and today he is worth more than R$ 110 million —, he added.

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