Costs and wear cause Flamengo to have cuts in the US pre-season

Filipe Luís's situation has been under internal discussion since the Club World Cup. The experienced full-back's renewal is considered crucial, but the board is awaiting a statement from the coach and a definitive answer regarding the contract extension. Despite the player's importance, there is no rush in the process, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

In Arrascaeta 's case, negotiations progressed after a start to the season marked by disagreements between the Uruguayan and executive director José Boto. The board worked to reestablish a good relationship with the player's agents , which should speed up negotiations. The midfielder's retention is considered a top priority by the club to maintain the team's core.

CONVERSATIONS WITH ROSSI AND PEDRO

Unlike the priority duo, the cases of Rossi and Pedro will only be discussed next season. Both have contracts until the end of 2027, which gives Flamengo the flexibility to postpone negotiations . Pedro arrived on loan from Fiorentina in 2020 and was signed permanently at the end of the same year. The striker also had disagreements with José Boto, but the issues were resolved internally.

FLAMENGO SIGNED 4 REINFORCEMENTS

With the close of the second transfer window, Flamengo finalized the arrival of four reinforcements : right-back Emerson Royal, midfielders Saúl and Carascal, and forward Samuel Lino . Although it monitored other positions, such as goalkeeper, center-back, and center-forward, the board opted not to advance in negotiations.

The most significant move was the search for a replacement for Matheus Cunha, who has a pre-agreement to play for Cruzeiro from 2026 onwards . The need now will be to find a new backup for Rossi until the end of the season.

Midfielder Erick Pulgar left the field in the first half of Flamengo's 4-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup after suffering a new injury . The Chilean had already faced a similar problem earlier in his time at the club, which sidelined him for two months.

On the previous occasion, the return only occurred after about 60 days. This time, even after recent surgery that predicted a three-month absence, the scenario may be more positive. According to journalist José Tomás Fernández, the recovery may be accelerated .

Pulgar will undergo a new examination on Friday (12) to assess the consolidation of the fracture . If the result is favorable, the player will be able to resume training with the ball the following week. Flamengo 's medical department is still awaiting the report to define when he will be integrated back into the squad.

PULL NUMBERS IN 2025

• Season total: 26 games, 1,993 minutes on the pitch
• Brasileirão: 9 games, 653 minutes, 1 goal scored
• Libertadores: 4 games, 314 minutes, 80% passing accuracy, 2 chances created, 1 yellow card
• Other competitions: Participation in the Carioca and the Club World Cup

Despite not having registered any assists, Pulgar has been a key player in the team's defensive balance . Coach Filipe Luís said in a press conference after the team's Copa Libertadores qualification against Internacional that he expected to have the Chilean available for the match against Estudiantes.

ABOUT THAT…

With the Libertadores only in the middle of next week and without the certainty of Pulgar's presence in training, Flamengo continues its preparation to face Juventude in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão this Sunday (14) at 4 pm (Brasília time) . The Mais Querido travels to Caxias do Sul, the location of the match, on Saturday.

Flamengo closed the transfer window with four new players: Emerson Royal, Saúl, Carascal, and Samuel Lino. Despite monitoring other positions, the board opted not to move forward with negotiations, prioritizing sectors deemed more urgent at the moment.

The search for a replacement for Matheus Cunha, who already has a contract to play for Cruzeiro starting in 2026, led the club to consider signing a new goalkeeper. The closest candidate was Santos' Gabriel Brazão , but the Vila Belmiro club's asking price was considered unreasonable for a backup to Rossi.

The center forward position was also evaluated, but without significant progress. Lazio's Taty Castellanos was monitored, but without any official offer. Another case was that of Fiorentina's Lucas Beltrán, but the Argentine and his family's desire to remain in Europe prevented negotiations . Internally, the board doesn't see the position as an immediate priority. This information comes from the GE portal.

DEFENSE HAS NATIONAL NAMES

In defense, Flamengo considered names for the defense but opted not to invest. With Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Danilo available, the team is believed to have sufficient quality for the current situation . Despite Danilo's recent injuries, the board and coaching staff remain confident in the defender.

Cleiton's departure, whose contract will not be renewed, opens up opportunities for youngsters from the youth academy. João Victor and Iago are expected to gain playing time in the Campeonato Carioca , reinforcing the plan to develop talents trained at Flamengo .

PLANNING REMAINS FOCUSED

With the window now closed, the Rio de Janeiro club emphasizes that its focus remains on maintaining a balance between experience and youth , without compromising financial planning. The football department is working to develop youth players while monitoring opportunities for future signings.