Flamengo push to extend Pulgar as midfielder hints at staying after Libertadores progress | OneFootball

Flamengo have moved forward in talks to renew Pulgar’s contract as he prioritises staying despite lucrative Middle East offers.

According to Globo.com, sides in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including Neom and Al-Jazira, are interested, and a US$ 4 million, R$ 20.8 million, release clause now active this window would allow an exit without negotiating with the club. Suitors need only agree terms with the player and notify Flamengo that the clause will be paid, mirroring Zenit’s 2025 move for Gerson.

To keep him, the Rio club have proposed an extension to the end of 2028 with a salary increase, and the financial gap is close to being bridged. The club hopes to finalise the agreement on Friday.

The 32-year-old marked qualification for the Libertadores quarter-finals on Thursday with a message on social media saying they are in the last eight and aiming for more, hinting at staying. The quarter-finals conclude after the window shuts on 11 September, with the second leg the following week.

Pulgar remains contracted until the end of 2027 and has been with Flamengo since 2022, making 170 appearances with six goals and nine assists. He has won nine trophies, including the 2022 and 2025 Libertadores, the 2022 and 2024 Copa do Brasil, the 2025 Supercopa do Brasil, the 2025 Brasileiro and state titles in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

His last renewal came in March last year with a pay rise that still left him behind some midfielders who are not starters. At 32 he is seeking a valuation that could be the last major contract of his career, and he impressed against Cruzeiro this week.

Source: Globo.com

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