Santos maintain interest in Michael despite advanced deal for Rony | OneFootball

Santos remain keen on signing Flamengo winger Michael, even as a move for Rony from Atlético-MG advances to strengthen the attack in 2026.

According to Globo.com, Rony is lined up to replace Guilherme immediately and is expected to start once Juan Pablo Vojvoda can select him.

Guilherme, formerly of Santos, has been sold to Houston Dynamo after a season of ups and downs.

Michael would compete for a place in the frontline, but talks are currently stalled. He is unwilling to waive money he says is owed by Flamengo, despite a 2026 switch to Santos being set up.

The forward is seeking around R$ two million from the signing-on fee tied to the deal he signed on returning to Ninho do Urubu in 2024, under Rodolfo Landim. He arrived as a free agent at the time, but the club agreed to pay almost R$ 28.8 million in signing-on fees.

Flamengo are holding firm and waiting for Michael to drop the claim before releasing him from his contract. He was left out of the squad for the Brasileirão opener against São Paulo on Wednesday at Morumbis.

Source: Globo.com