Tite highlights that he does not associate high investments with quality in football: "I was champion with Caxias"

Flamengo made significant investments in the last transfer window, bolstering a squad that was already among the strongest in the country. However, one area ended up taking a backseat: defense . Despite analyzing names and receiving suggestions for defenders, the board opted not to sign any reinforcements for the position at this time.

According to ge, the club assessed that there was no immediate need to invest in the sector , understanding that Filipe Luís already has three defenders at national team level. Despite this, the lack of options proved problematic.

DEFENSE UNDER INTENSE LOAD

Currently, the red-and-black squad has Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira as regular starters, with Danilo and Cleiton as bench options. Fans, however, are wary of the alternatives. Danilo has struggled physically and hasn't been able to play a regular game , while Cleiton, a product of Ninho do Urubu, is still seen as a developing athlete, far from reaching the level required by the main team.

This limitation of options has led the two starters, Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira , to play in almost every match, which increases wear and tear and concerns about the tight schedule , the duo even had a streak of 12 consecutive games.

BASE JEWELS CAN GAIN SPACE

According to ge, the topic should return to the board's agenda at the end of the season, when the need for defensive reinforcements will be reassessed . For now, the football department intends to focus on youth talents like João Victor and Iago, who should receive more opportunities in 2026.

The club's idea is to maintain the strategy of recent years, using the Campeonato Carioca as a showcase for promising young players and, gradually, also inserting them into the Brasileirão , which will now take place parallel to the state championship due to changes in the calendar.

Flamengo's hero at the U-20 World Cup, Iago is in a special phase and has been closely monitored by the coaching staff. João Victor, meanwhile, is internally considered the "future of the Flamengo defense." Despite this, both have received few chances in the first team under Filipe Luís.

Even with the transfer window closed, the transfer market remains busy behind the scenes. Executives and agents are already planning the negotiations that could take place at the turn of the next season . In the case of Flamengo, the Rio de Janeiro club has already defined the positions it intends to strengthen and has begun receiving offers from players recommended by international agents.

According to journalist Fabrício Lopes, Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, currently with Real Betis, was offered to Mengão . The player was expected to be an alternative to Uruguayan Arrascaeta , a reinforcement considered strategic for the team. However, the club's board chose not to move forward with the negotiations.

According to the investigation, the club assessed that the athlete's history of injuries would be a risk factor for the investment . Therefore, the talks did not continue, and the deal was completely ruled out by the club's directors.

PLAYER HAS ALREADY BEEN OFFERED

Lo Celso , 28, had already been considered by other Brazilian clubs, such as Grêmio, but without any concrete progress. Real Betis was reportedly willing to negotiate a deal for around €6 million (approximately R$35 million), a fee considered affordable within the national market.

FLAMENGO REMAINS FOCUSED ON THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

While monitoring potential market opportunities, Mais Querido is focusing on the rest of the Brazilian Championship's Série A season. After the FIFA deadline, the team returns to action on August 15th at 7:30 pm in a classic against Botafogo . Currently, the club is in second place and is looking to maintain its position in the national title race.

The Brazilian football calendar is paralyzed due to the FIFA World Cup , but the Brazilian Championship is taking advantage of the period without national team matches to catch up on delayed matches. This Wednesday (8), two matches will move the competition: Atlético-MG x Sport and Mirassol x Fluminense.

BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES TODAY

• 7pm – Atlético-MG x Sport – Arena MRV
• 9pm – Mirassol x Fluminense – José Maria de Campos Maia Municipal Stadium

The first match of the day takes place at 7 pm (Brasília time), with Atlético-MG hosting Sport, in a postponed match from the 14th round. The Minas Gerais team is in 15th place, with 29 points , while the Pernambuco club is last with just 16 points.

Soon after, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), Fluminense visits Mirassol, in a delayed duel of the 13th round. The Rio de Janeiro team is in seventh place, with 38 points , while the São Paulo team occupies the sixth position, totaling 43 points.

AND FLAMENGO?

While the Brasileirão has its make-up games, Flamengo is taking advantage of the FIFA World Cup break to regroup and adjust its preparations for the final stretch of the season . The next match for Filipe Luís's team will be against Botafogo on October 15th at 7:30 pm (Brasília time) at Nilton Santos Stadium, in the 28th round.

After the 1-0 defeat to Bahia, last Sunday (5), Flamengo lost the championship lead and dropped to second place, with 55 points . Palmeiras achieved the same score, but has an advantage in the tiebreaker criteria.

FLAMENGO'S DELAYED GAME

Flamengo also has a game pending in the Brasileirão. The match against Sport, valid for the 12th round, was postponed due to the red-and-black's participation in the Club World Cup . To date, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has not yet set a new date for the match between the Mais Querido and the Leão, which is expected to be rescheduled for the coming weeks.