Gonzalo Plata reveals that he saw Flamengo in the Libertadores and is eager to debut at Maracanã

In recent days, some foreign players have been offered to Brazilian clubs, generating expectations and discussions among fans and managers. Although the international transfer market is always a source of interest for clubs in Brazil, decisions about signing these athletes depend on several factors, such as the squad's needs, values ​​involved and the technical profile of each player.

O Flamengo, always present in conversations about big signings, was also the target of international offers. Two renowned players offered themselves to the club: Mariano Diaz, a center forward from the Dominican Republic, who previously played for Real Madrid, and Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting, a Cameroonian striker, currently at Bayern Munich. FLAMENGO THERE IS A RACE BEHIND THE SCENES FOR NAMES

Mariano Diaz, who has already had his name mentioned in previous transfer windows, is looking to regain his leading role at a club that offers him more minutes on the field. Flamengo, known for its powerful attack , could be an interesting destination for the player, but there are questions about the space he would have in the squad. With names like Pedro and Gabigol already established in the offensive sector, Mariano's arrival could create even greater competition, which raises doubts about the real need for his hiring.

In addition, Mariano's salary, who played in one of the most valuable leagues in the world, would be a determining factor. O Flamengo, despite being one of the richest clubs in Brazil, it also needs to maintain financial balance. The board has already shown caution in previous windows, prioritizing signings that make sense for the team's planning and that do not overload the salary bill.

Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting, in turn, offers himself as an alternative interesting for the red-black attack. The Cameroonian player, who has played for big clubs such as PSG and Bayern Munich, has the advantage of his versatility, being able to play as a center forward or deeper, depending on the team's needs.

With an eye on the decisive clash for the Copa do Brasil, both Flamengo and Bahia intensify their preparations. The duel, scheduled for next Thursday (12), at Maracanã, will be crucial for the aspirations of both clubs in the competition.

Bahia, led by Rogério Ceni, held another training session last Saturday (7), at CT Evaristo de Macedo, in Salvador. The preparation included collective training with the participation of players from the under-17 and under-20 categories, as well as work focused on set pieces.

After a week of intense activities, the Bahian team won a day off on Sunday (8) and will return on Monday (9) to begin the final adjustments. Bahia will have three more training sessions before the trip to Rio de Janeiro, scheduled for Wednesday (11).

Like Bahia, Flamengo ended its week of activities on Saturday (7). With the pause in national team games during the FIFA Date, coach Tite took advantage of the training sessions to test formations and make tactical observations. The red and black squad also got a day of rest on Sunday (8) and will return to Ninho do Urubu on Monday (9), for three more days of preparation before the clash.

Tite seeks to find the best formation to face Bahia and ensure qualification for the next phase of the Copa do Brasil. The game will be played at Maracanã, and the expectation is for a full house, with Flamengo counting on the support of its fans.

The game between Flamengo and Bahia promises to be balanced, with both teams looking for victory to advance in the Copa do Brasil. With experienced coaches at the helm, the clubs take to the field this Thursday (12), at 8pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.

The Flamengo adopts a cautious stance in negotiating the football market and, unlike previous years, does not intend to make exorbitant financial investments to make up for shortages. The current management, led by president Rodolfo Landim, has already allocated more than R$329 million to signings this season, making it the second year with the highest spending since 2019, when the club spent R$360.9 million on reinforcements. Even with the large number of signings, the club still faces difficulties in balancing its finances due to low revenue from player sales.

In contrast to the high amount spent on reinforcements, Flamengo isstay experiencing the worst year in terms of athlete sales since Rodolfo Landim assumed the presidency. Transfers made so far total just R$71.4 million, a value that frustrates the board's expectations. Furthermore, important negotiations that could represent a significant improvement in the club's accounts, such as the sales of Wesley and Fabrício Bruno, ended up not materializing.