FLAMENGO RACES AGAINST TIME, TRYING TO HAVE LÉO ORTIZ FOR THE CLASSIC AGAINST FLUMINENSE

São Paulo ended this Friday morning (11), at CT da Barra Funda, the preparation for the duel against Flamengo, scheduled for this Saturday, at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã , for the 13th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Coach Hernán Crespo will be without forwards Lucas Moura and Lucas Ferreira, as well as Luciano, who is suspended. Lucas Moura, who is recovering from a knee injury, is already training with the group but is still following a specific fitness schedule . Lucas Ferreira, meanwhile, is experiencing hip pain and has been out of recent training sessions. Luiz Gustavo, who is being treated for pulmonary thromboembolism, and Calleri, who is recovering from knee surgery, remain in the medical department.

IMPORTANT RETURNS AND DOUBT IN THE ATTACK

Meanwhile, São Paulo will see the return of Marcos Antônio, Ferreira, and Oscar , who were out due to injuries and were released after the Club World Cup break. Midfielder Luan, who returned from a loan spell at Vitória, was also included in the squad list and could make his first appearance in 2025. He has 165 appearances for the Tricolor.

Without his starting attacking trio, Crespo tested his attacking lineup during the week. The main question is whether to play Oscar further forward , pairing him with André Silva, or opt for Juan Dinenno, a more professional striker, to replace Luciano.

PROBABLE LINEUP FOR SÃO PAULO

With the absences confirmed, coach Hernán Crespo should field a São Paulo team with : Rafael; Arboleda, Alan Franco and Sabino (or Ferraresi); Cédric, Alisson, Bobadilla, Marcos Antônio and Enzo Díaz; Oscar (or Juan Dinenno) and André Silva.

AND FLAMENGO?

Coach Filipe Luís also has to find an alternative midfielder due to the absence of Erick Pulgar . Flamengo is expected to start the match with: Rossi; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro; Jorginho, De la Cruz, Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Plata, and Bruno Henrique.

Matheus Gonçalves ' move to Cruzeiro was being treated behind the scenes as a done deal. However, according to an investigation by journalist Bruno Lemos, Flamengo no longer views the attacking midfielder's transfer as a positive option at this time. Flamengo's board is rethinking the negotiations and, internally, is already considering the possibility of keeping the player.

VALUES ON THE TABLE OF THE MOST LOVED

The 19-year-old was close to wearing the blue jersey. Cruzeiro 's offer was around R$22.5 million upfront for 50% of the player's economic rights. Flamengo would keep the other half , betting on future appreciation. The player was pleased with the offer from Minas Gerais. Matheus welcomes a move to gain more playing time, something in short supply in Flamengo's first team .

However, the board is wary of reinforcing a direct rival in major national competitions. With Cruzeiro rapidly improving under Fernando Seabra, the possibility of strengthening a direct competitor has become a matter of concern at Gávea. Internally, Flamengo officials argue that an international loan, even without immediate returns, would be a less damaging solution.

CAN CRUZEIRO AND FLAMENGO WITHOUT GETTING ENTANGLED?

Behind the scenes at Toca da Raposa, the negotiations were considered well underway. The player's staff had already signaled a positive response, and there was optimism about a quick outcome. Now, with the impasse created by Flamengo's withdrawal, the club's board awaits an official statement. This isn't the first time Minas Gerais clubs have attempted to lure Matheus Gonçalves away from Flamengo.

Atlético-MG also expressed interest previously, but without formalizing an official offer. The competition reinforces the club's status in the national market. With a contract until the end of 2027, Matheus Gonçalves has been a consistent standout in the U-20 category. Whenever he returns to the youth academy, he usually excels with goals and assists, but he has yet to make a run at the senior level under Tite.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have intensified negotiations with Flamengo to sign 19-year-old striker Wallace Yan . According to journalist Alexandre Mattos, negotiations are well underway and could be finalized during this transfer window. The approval of former Flamengo coach Vítor Pereira was crucial in the English club moving forward with a proposal deemed satisfactory.

THE CHILDREN OF THE NEST IN ENGLAND

If the transfer is confirmed, Wallace Yan will have the chance to reunite with an old acquaintance from the club's youth academy: João Gomes. A regular starter for Wolves, the defensive midfielder is an example of a successful transition from Ninho do Urubu to European football. The young striker's arrival would further increase the Brazilian presence in the English club's squad.

The potential value of Wallace's transfer ranges from €15 million to €25 million (approximately R$90 million to R$150 million). According to insider reports, Flamengo is willing to complete the deal within this range, which is considered fair given the player's potential and the current situation in the European market.

WALLACE YAN MAY LEAVE THE MOST LOVED

The sale of Wallace Yan is the latest chapter in a series of negotiations involving Flamengo's young talent. After Matheus França, João Gomes, and Lucas Paquetá, the striker is the latest target on the European market, which remains attentive to the quality of Flamengo's youth academy . Despite his short and turbulent stint at Flamengo in 2023, Vítor Pereira knows the club's structure well and understands the value of athletes trained in the academy.

According to sources close to Wolverhampton, the Portuguese forward participated directly in talks with the English board and approved Wallace's signing. Sources within the football department state that Wallace Yan's possible departure is considered a given . Although he hasn't yet earned many minutes with the first team, the striker had already been monitored by foreign clubs and was considered a valuable asset by the club's SAF.