The empire strikes back: Flamengo president contacts Calleri’s camp | OneFootball

Flamengo seems not to have learned the lesson with Marcos Antônio. After seeing their pursuit of the midfielder frustrated, the Rio team is once again trying to bypass São Paulo in search of a player. This time, the target is the striker Calleri.

With news that the number 9 is not having such easy negotiations to renew his contract with Tricolor, which only lasts until the end of the year, Flamengo fans have leaked to their reporters that they are interested in signing the Argentine.

As AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR found out, directors of the Rio team have been seeking Calleri's staff in recent days for information about his situation with São Paulo. Evidently, even to disguise the pursuit, no proposals have been made. Not even more incisive talks about a move from Morumbi to Gávea.

However, unlike the situation with Marcos Antônio, whose interest and offers to Tricolor and the player were blatantly leaked, with Calleri the tone adopted is one of caution.

To the point that Luiz Eduardo Baptista, their president and known talker, dodged questions about the interest in an interview with ‘ESPN’.

“I think Calleri is a great player, has an important history in football, especially at São Paulo. I hold a bit of a grudge against him because of that goal at Maracanã against us (in the 2023 Copa do Brasil final), but he is a great player and I wish him all the best. I think he fits São Paulo well,” he said.

“Look, I don't talk about athletes' names, I talk about processes. The fact that you evaluate these athletes doesn't mean you're probing and entering into negotiations. And, many times, the fact that you get in touch to know what the intention is and what the moment is doesn't mean the conversation will evolve. This is Boto's business, he takes care of it. I talk to him when he says ‘I want Hernán and I don't want Bap, let's sit and talk’. Only then will I sit and talk,” he indicated.

A beautiful play of appearances. Calleri has been on a list of potential reinforcements for the Rio team since 2023, precisely when he was one of their executioners in the decision of the main national knockout competition. A sharper negotiation conversation was not opened by them only because of the very clear signal from the number 9 that there is no interest in leaving Morumbi.

In fact, conversations with potential interested parties in the striker's football that year, especially concrete proposals from Mexico and the two Argentine giants, Boca Juniors and River Plate, motivated Calleri to change agents. Even with problems at São Paulo, such as salary and bonus delays, he wanted to stay.

Nothing has changed now, we emphasize to reassure you, fans. And once again the signal of dissatisfaction comes precisely from the number 9's staff, again motivated by the club's debts to the player. There is a belief that they could secure a more valuable contract for the player, who believes he will receive this appreciation from Tricolor itself.

It is in this financial impasse that Flamengo rubs their hands, dreaming it might be possible to bypass São Paulo and secure a pre-contract with Calleri.

At Morumbi, there is certainty that the striker will renew his contract. The disagreement between the parties is about closing the new deal, for one to two years (the club leaves the duration open for the player to choose). What Calleri is asking for is a salary adjustment. The highest-paid player in the squad throughout Julio Casares' management until Lucas' arrival, the Argentine renewed last time without getting a raise. And he saw, besides the number 7, his colleague Luciano also surpass him in the ranking. Remembering that in recent years James Rodríguez and Oscar were other names that arrived receiving higher salaries.

After a dramatic 2025, where he underwent surgery and was absent for much of the year, Calleri is having a brilliant season with São Paulo. In fact, his best with the club in history. He is the outfield player who has played the most, with 16 matches played and an impressive nine goals scored.

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