Lille ‘to offer’ €10m for Ryan Roberto as Flamengo give green light | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, Lille have opened talks to sign Flamengo forward Ryan Roberto, 18, and have signalled a €10m offer, about R$ 57.8m, surpassing Shakhtar Donetsk’s bid. Flamengo have approved the valuation and are waiting for a formal proposal in writing.

Flamengo had aimed to renew the teenager’s deal after his standout role in their Under-20 Libertadores runners-up campaign, and he has two senior appearances. Limited first-team prospects mean the player and his camp view a move to Europe positively.

An agents’ dispute has complicated negotiations. Ryan recently signed with Elenko Sports but still has an active representation agreement with Energy Sports, the group that presented Lille’s proposal.

FIFA rules prevent clubs from paying commissions to agents without a contract with the player, creating legal risk for Lille without a formal end to the earlier deal. Flamengo will only negotiate with Energy Sports, which has notified the club and Ryan Roberto of a R$ 20m penalty clause.

With 11 months left on his contract, Ryan Roberto can sign a pre-contract from October. Flamengo therefore have the next window to sell if they want to avoid losing him for free at the end of his deal. Director of football José Boto is leading talks, which still require president Bap’s approval, and the forward is currently out of Under-20 matches while his situation is resolved.

Source: Globo.com