Almada top priority? Boto-Luiz Henrique talks reveal Flamengo plan | OneFootball

Flamengo’s football director met with one of Luiz Henrique’s representatives in Porto Alegre

A meeting between José Boto, Flamengo’s football director, and William Bento, agent of forward Luiz Henrique, stirred up transfer market speculation this Tuesday (28). The meeting took place at the hotel where the Rubro-Negro delegation is staying in Porto Alegre for the match against Internacional. Amid negotiations for Thiago Almada, is the Rio club laying the groundwork for another major signing?

According to information from journalist Mônica Alves, from Coluna do Fla, the meeting between the Rubro-Negro executive and the right winger’s agent did not happen by chance. There was even speculation that the businessman was there only because he is the brother of center back Vitão, but the reporting confirms that the context involved transfer market interests.

On the other hand, there is an understanding that signing both Luiz Henrique and Almada at the same time would require extremely high investment. Flamengo’s internal assessment shows that making both deals happen is somewhat complex. Therefore, the absolute priority for the Rio club’s board remains Almada’s arrival, with strong expectations that the outcome will be settled by next week.

So, regarding Luiz Henrique, any more aggressive move from Flamengo would only gain momentum if an opportunity considered too good to pass up emerges in the market. For now, the main focus remains entirely on completing the Argentine midfielder’s transfer.

WHAT IS LUIZ HENRIQUE’S MARKET VALUE?

Forward Luiz Henrique’s estimated price is around 24 million euros (approximately 140 million reais). However, the Russian club is demanding between 40 and 50 million euros (around R$ 240 to R$ 304 million) to release the player, according to figures reported by the Russian press.

WHAT ABOUT THIAGO ALMADA?

Thiago Almada, a midfielder currently playing for Atlético de Madrid (ESP), is involved in significant figures. Thus, the deal with Flamengo is worth around 27 million euros (about R$ 156 million), and could reach 30 million euros depending on the fulfillment of contractual targets and stipulated bonuses.

To convince the player to accept the proposal, Flamengo’s board overcame major obstacles, such as persuading him to return to South American football, since his initial preference was to remain in Europe. However, favorable offers from the ‘Old Continent’ did not materialize.

In addition, Flamengo beat competition from River Plate (ARG), aligned all terms with Atlético de Madrid, a club with which it maintains an excellent institutional relationship, and is finalizing the last bureaucratic details to make the signing official.

WHAT ELSE IS FLAMENGO LOOKING FOR?

The main objective of the Rubro-Negro leadership is to bring in three new signings in this transfer window, which will be open from July 20 to September 11. Therefore, if the Thiago Almada deal is successfully completed, the midfielder will arrive to compete directly for a spot in the team’s central area.

Moreover, the strategic plan also includes signing a center forward, seen as essential to share the match load with Pedro throughout the calendar, as well as a pacey winger to expand the attacking options. With these additions, the club intends to ensure a competitive squad for the remainder of the competitions.

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