Rio derby twist: Botafogo eye Jair, linked with Flamengo | OneFootball

Flamengo considers signing a center-back for 2026

After a season ‘packed’ with titles, Flamengo will try to maintain its high level in 2026. Thus, while monitoring the market for reinforcements, center-back Jair has emerged as one of the names on the red-and-black radar. However, Mengão may face competition from another Rio club in the negotiations.

According to information from ‘O Globo’, Botafogo is also interested in signing Jair. However, the current instability of the Rio team could complicate the return of the defender, who already wore the black-and-white shirt between February and July of 2025.

Does Flamengo want to sign Jair for 2026?

Flamengo views the signing of Jair favorably. However, the Rubro-Negro has not yet sent a proposal for the defender to Nottingham Forest. So far, it is most likely that the Mengão board will make a loan offer with an option to buy to the English club.

What is Jair’s situation?

Jair arrived at Nottingham Forest at the start of the European season. However, the former Botafogo player has not been given many opportunities. The Premier League club has gone through instability and three coaching changes. Thus, the defender has played in only two matches during this period.

And what about Flamengo’s situation?

Flamengo currently has few options for the defensive sector in the main squad. At the moment, Filipe Luís has only Danilo, Léo Ortiz, and Léo Pereira. As a result, the red-and-black club is heading to the market in search of a new center-back.

In addition, Flamengo recently said goodbye to Cleiton. Wolfsburg (GER) announced the signing of the defender on Wednesday (17), who had been receiving few opportunities in Filipe Luís’s team. Thus, Mengão is considering bringing in a defender in the next transfer window.

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