Léo Pereira to Besiktas? What Coluna do Fla knows | OneFootball

Léo Pereira is on the radar of Turkish football

The transfer market remains busy in Europe, and Flamengo have received the first official inquiry for one of the pillars of Leonardo Jardim’s team. Besiktas, from Turkey, contacted the Rubro-Negro to express interest in signing center-back Léo Pereira, one of the undisputed starters in the defensive system.

At the moment, however, the club’s board is not considering the possibility of negotiating players regarded as essential to the first team. Léo Pereira is one of the idols of Flamengo’s current generation and remains part of the plans.

WHAT DOES COLUNA DO FLA KNOW ABOUT LÉO PEREIRA?

According to journalist Léo José, from Coluna do Fla, Flamengo have not yet received any official offers for Léo Pereira. However, still according to our reporting, directly from important sources at Ninho do Urubu, the player’s camp says there are offers on the table.

The Turkish press says Besiktas want to sign Léo Pereira for 8 million euros — approximately R$ 46 million. At those figures, Flamengo would not even open talks and believe the number 4 shirt is worth at least double that, even at 30 years old.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S POSITION?

Internally, the understanding is that Léo Pereira is part of the backbone of the squad led by Leonardo Jardim. The center-back gained even more prestige after joining the Brazil national team delegation at the last World Cup. Although he did not take the field during the tournament under Carlo Ancelotti, the call-up reinforced the recognition for the performances he has delivered in the Rubro-Negro shirt.

WHY IS THE DEFENDER ON THE TURKISH CLUB’S RADAR?

Léo Pereira’s name is among the requests of head coach Vincenzo Italiano, who recently arrived at Besiktas. The Turkish club’s board is looking for reinforcements to strengthen the squad and has already shown a willingness to invest in this transfer window. Recently, the club announced the signing of Belgian forward Leandro Trossard, formerly of Arsenal (ENG), in a deal that could reach 20 million euros (R$ 116 million), including performance-related bonuses.

WHAT ARE LÉO PEREIRA’S NUMBERS AT FLAMENGO?

Signed by Flamengo in 2020, Léo Pereira has built a successful career at the club. The defender is under contract until the end of 2027 and has made 304 appearances, scored 18 goals, and provided five assists.

In addition to those impressive numbers, the Rubro-Negro number shirt has already won 16 titles with Flamengo, establishing himself as one of the most important center-backs in the club’s recent history. That is why any move from the European market is likely to face strong resistance from Flamengo’s board.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION ON THE MATTER?

— José Boto has been stressing the point: ‘Who can I buy to replace him for that amount?’ That’s exactly it. For 8 million euros, Flamengo will not be able to get anyone at Léo Pereira’s level. Under those conditions, Flamengo cannot even open talks. The number 4 shirt is a Rubro-Negro idol and should retire at the Rio club — commented Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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