European site names Plata's understudy in Ecuador as Flamengo target | OneFootball

Anthony Valencia, 23, made headlines in Europe amid Flamengo interest

A backup to Gonzalo Plata for Ecuador at the last World Cup, Anthony Valencia is on Flamengo’s radar, according to European outlet Tribuna.com. According to the website, the Rubro-Negro have opened talks with Belgium’s Royal Antwerp.

Valencia is in great form in the 2026/27 season. In three matches for the club, he has scored three goals. The 23-year-old player, who can play on either wing and is left-footed, came through the youth ranks at Independiente del Valle (ECU), Flamengo’s next opponent in the Copa Libertadores.

Despite Flamengo’s interest, Valencia remains under contract with Antwerp. In fact, the forward took part in the team’s training session as usual this Friday (28). His presence in training, however, does not mean negotiations have ended or that he is off the market.

WHY ARE ANTWERP OPEN TO NEGOTIATING?

The situation at Royal Antwerp could make Anthony Valencia’s departure easier. According to the report, the Belgian club recently signed 19-year-old Ecuadorian Carlos Mejia, who also plays on the wings, a move that has increased the team’s willingness to consider a permanent transfer for the World Cup player.

PLATA’S BACKUP?

Anthony Valencia was among Ecuador’s 26-man squad at the last World Cup, but he did not come off the bench in any of La Tri’s four matches. The youngster was precisely the backup to Gonzalo Plata, who is on his way out to Dynamo Moscow (RUS).

The scorer of the winning goal in the 2024 Copa do Brasil final was released to undergo medical tests at the Russian club and will miss Flamengo’s next match, against Botafogo on Sunday (30), in the Brasileirão. Plata will leave the club for a fee that could reach 12 million euros (R$72 million).

However, part of the Ecuadorian press heavily criticized Sebastián Beccacece for not using the player. In the view of some specialists in the country, Valencia is better than Gonzalo Plata. The 23-year-old cost Royal Antwerp 1.5 million euros in 2022. Finally, the youngster is under contract until June 2027.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Anthony Valencia’s name fits the profile Flamengo are looking for in the market: young, relatively affordable, and less high-profile. Coluna do Fla contacted Flamengo’s board, but did not receive confirmation regarding a possible deal for the player — opined Pedro Paulo Catonho, a journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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