Flamengo ends search for reinforcements and focuses only on departures at the end of the window

Right-back Lucyan, a Libertadores and U-20 World Cup winner with Flamengo in 2024, is São Paulo's newest signing. The 19-year-old had been signed by Bahia in March of this year, after being released by Flamengo, but was released by the Bahian team in August due to disciplinary issues. As a result, Mengão lost the 30% stake it had in the initial negotiation.

Lucyan signed a contract with São Paulo until June 30, 2028, with a release clause set at €80 million, equivalent to R$506 million at the current exchange rate. The news about the signing and Flamengo 's loss of the percentage was released by journalist Venê Casagrande.

WHY FLAMENGO LOST TRANSFER RIGHTS

With no space at Flamengo, Lucyan signed a contract with Bahia until December 2027. Flamengo released the athlete without cost, keeping 30% of his economic rights, with an initial termination fee of 100 million euros (approximately R$600 million).

After Bahia released the full-back, the Rubro-Negro team lost its share of the contract. The Bahian team officially announced: " Esporte Clube Bahia SAF announces the release of right-back Lucyan . The U-20 player joined the club in March 2025 and played 16 matches for the Pivetes de Aço."

LUCYAN'S PASSAGE AT FLAMENGO

Lucyan was a starter for Flamengo in the final stretch of the 2024 Copa Libertadores, including the final against Boca Juniors (ARG). At the U-20 World Cup, he was a substitute in the victory over Olympiacos (GRE), coached by Filipe Luís . Born in Cuiabá, the full-back joined Mais Querido in the U-15 category and left the club earlier this year, leaving his mark on the history of recent achievements.

We've learned exclusively that Flamengo no longer plans to make major investments in its squad this season. The board considers the current roster sufficient for the current competitions , and if any new players arrive, they will only be due to a specific market opportunity.

The offensive sector was once a priority, as the committee was looking for a center forward with different characteristics than Pedro . However, with the number 9's return to form and the presence of options like Bruno Henrique, Wallace Yan, and even Plata filling the role , the need was no longer seen as a priority by Flamengo 's leadership.

TRANSFER WINDOW

The current transfer window was marked by a flurry of activity for Flamengo , which surprised the national scene with some key signings. Players like Samu Lino, Saúl Níguez, Emerson Royal, Carrascal, and Jorginho arrived, but no center forwards were signed.

The main targets were Argentines Valentín Castellanos of Lazio and Lucas Beltrán of Fiorentina. More recently, the name of Brazilian Marcos Leonardo, currently at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, has emerged, and has been identified as a target for the red-and-blacks by Fabrício Lopes.

MARCOS LEONARDO PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Another factor complicating a potential move is the player's own intentions. Marcos Leonardo has already expressed his desire to leave Arab football, but his priority is to return to Europe , not Brazil, in the event of a transfer.

Three-time Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo is enjoying a strong run of form after thrashing Vitória 8-0 in the Brasileirão . With a star-studded squad and investments well above the national average, Flamengo once again emerges as a strong title contender this season.

In an analysis for Grupo Globo, Felipe Melo named Flamengo as the most competitive team on the continent and warned that its dominance could continue if its rivals don't strengthen their positions: " If the other teams don't strengthen their positions and don't understand how to play against them, Flamengo will continue winning titles for a long time. Soon, it will have eight Libertadores titles," the former player predicted.

This season, Mengão has already lifted the Brazilian Super Cup and the Campeonato Carioca trophies. In the Brasileirão Betano, the team leads with 46 points, four ahead of Abel Ferreira's Palmeiras , solidifying its consistency in the national competition.

CHALLENGE IN THE LIBERTADORES

In pursuit of its fourth continental championship, the Gávea club defeated Internacional in the round of 16 and will face Estudiantes of Argentina in the quarterfinals . The matches will take place on September 18th and 25th, with the first leg scheduled for Maracanã.

PRIORITY IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

According to director José Boto and coach Filipe Luís , the central objective of the season is to win the Brazilian Championship. However, the possibility of becoming the first Brazilian club to win four-time American titles keeps the squad motivated for the continental competition.