Juan Freytes slips down the pecking order, could leave Fluminense | OneFootball

Juan Pablo Freytes has lost ground at Fluminense. At 26, the center-back is no longer a regular starter and has moved into a secondary role in defense, precisely at a time when the club needs to reduce the number of foreign players in the squad.

RTI Esporte Agency has learned that Juan Freytes is among the players who could leave Fluminense at the end of the season. With his reduced role and the change to the foreign-player limit in 2027, the defender has emerged as a possible departure.

After the World Cup, the Argentine played in matches against Bragantino, Grêmio, and Bahia. Soon after, he suffered a muscle injury and was sidelined for a period. He returned against Atlético-MG, but it was not enough to regain the place he had earlier in the season.

Argentine has lost market value

The situation contrasts with the start of Juan Freytes’ spell at the club. Signed at the beginning of 2025, the center-back joined Fluminense after standing out for Alianza Lima of Peru. The deal cost the club approximately R$ 20 million.

At the end of last season, the defender was also on the radar of Italian football. Bologna made an offer of €5 million, around R$32 million at the exchange rate at the time, but Fluminense turned it down for considering it too low compared to their valuation.

The Rio club wanted to receive €8 million for the player. The negotiations did not progress, and Juan Freytes stayed at Laranjeiras. Since then, however, losing his starting spot has reduced his exposure and could affect any future deal.

The Argentine center-back is under contract with Fluminense until December 2028. His future, therefore, does not depend on his deal expiring, but on a sporting and financial decision for next season.

Foreign-player limit changes planning

The scenario changed with the reduction of the foreign-player limit for 2027. With nine players born outside Brazil, Tricolor das Laranjeiras will have to set priorities for the squad with next season in mind.

Three foreign players are starters, while Acosta and Serna also feature frequently. Rodrigo Castillo and Jefferson Savarino have started receiving more opportunities, while Germán Cano is under contract until the end of the year and is not expected to stay.

In this scenario, Juan Freytes is behind other options in defense. His loss of space in the tricolor team, combined with the need to trim the group of foreign players, could pave the way for a transfer.

Numbers for Fluminense

Since arriving, Juan Freytes has made 95 appearances for Fluminense, with one goal and one assist. His long-term contract gives the club room to decide between a permanent transfer, a loan, or keeping him.

The final decision, however, will depend on the coaching staff’s assessment and planning for 2027. What has already changed is the Argentine’s position within the squad: from a regular starter, Juan Freytes is now fighting for minutes in an increasingly competitive defense.

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