CRYING YET?! BRUNO LAGE ASKS FLAMENGO'S FREE WEEK TO TRAIN

Argentine midfielder Esequiel Barco has returned to Flamengo's radar . According to information from Italian journalist Marco Mampreso, from the Oggi Sport Notizie portal, the player has already reached an agreement with the Rubro-Negro , with only negotiations with Spartak Moscow, from Russia, remaining.

According to the publication, Flamengo is expected to formalize an offer of €14 million (approximately R$88 million) to try to convince the Russians to release the athlete. Previously, Mengão had offered €10 million, but Spartak promptly rejected the offer.

Barco's name had already been floated behind the scenes at the Rio de Janeiro club when negotiations with Colombian Jorge Carrascal became complicated. However, the possibility faded after the former Dynamo Moscow player's arrival .

FLAMENGO PRIORITIZES A CENTER FORWARD IN THE WINDOW

Despite the interest in Barco , the club's board maintains the signing of a center forward as a priority in this transfer window. The club has not ruled out investing up to €15 million to strengthen its attacking position.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

While the board takes care of the transfer window, coach Filipe Luís is concerned with preparing the team that will take to the field to face Internacional this Sunday (17) at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), for the 20th round of the Brasileirão. Mais Querido is the leader of the competition with 40 points and is looking for a victory to remain isolated in first place.

Lucas Paquetá's future at West Ham could be decided in the coming days . According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder is considering transfer options after being acquitted of sports betting manipulation charges . The transfer window remains open until early September, on Deadline Day.

Although there are no official offers yet, interest in the former Flamengo player is growing, especially among European clubs. West Ham has not ruled out the Brazilian's departure, as he is unlikely to be a central player in the squad this season . Financial and sporting factors also weigh in on the English club's decision.

MANCHESTER CITY REMAINS ON THE RADAR

Manchester City has already expressed interest in Lucas Paquetá . In 2023, Pep Guardiola publicly praised the player, and the boards even opened talks. However, negotiations cooled after the sports betting case was opened . Even after the acquittal, the Citizens have yet to formalize a new offer, but the possibility of an approach before the end of the window is not ruled out.

IMPACT ON THE BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM

During the investigation, Paquetá was left out of the Brazilian national team squad. Coaches such as Fernando Diniz, Dorival Júnior, and Carlo Ancelotti chose not to call him up , which reduced his visibility and limited his opportunities on the international stage. The absence directly affected the player's reputation, which saw his career suffer amid the controversy.

POSSIBLE DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Despite being acquitted by the English FA, which found no evidence of match-fixing , Paquetá was found guilty of failing to fully cooperate with the investigation. Therefore, he may still be fined, although the exact amount of the fine has not been determined.

Flamengo is keeping its sights set on Santos goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão as its top target to be Agustín Rossi's immediate backup on Filipe Luís's team . The player has excelled for Santos, but negotiations are far from progressing.

Despite the Rubro-Negro's interest, Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has not made negotiations easier and remains resistant to the idea of releasing the player to a direct rival . The Alvinegro board, in fact, has expressed a preference for negotiating with European clubs.

R$44 MILLION OFFER REJECTED

According to information from André Hernan (UOL Esporte), Flamengo presented a proposal of 7 million euros (around R$ 44.2 million) for 70% of Brazão's economic rights . The offer was made this Friday (15), but was again rejected by Santos.

Santos's request is much higher: €15 million (R$94.8 million), plus performance bonuses . In other words, more than double the amount offered by the Rio de Janeiro club. Mengão is looking to replace Matheus Cunha, who has already agreed a pre-contract with Cruzeiro for next season.

IMPASSE MAINTAINED

With the rejection, the goalkeeper's future remains uncertain. Flamengo has not yet indicated whether it will make another move , but the difference between the asking and offering figures has kept the deal on hold. According to Transfermarkt, Gabriel Brazão has already played 64 matches for Santos, conceded 68 goals, and left the field 22 times without conceding a goal.