It's going to be crowded! Check out the partial number of tickets sold for Flamengo x Internacional

Flamengo is still in the market for a striker and has until September 2nd to complete negotiations before the transfer window closes. Among the names being discussed, Fiorentina's Lucas Beltrán has emerged as an option, but Lazio's Taty Castellanos is once again gaining traction .

CASTELLANOS WANTS FLAMENGO

According to Europa Calcio, the Rubro-Negro is in talks to sign the Argentine and now has an important factor in mind: the player's own interest, something that wasn't present in the initial negotiations . Castellanos is reportedly more open to moving to the Rio de Janeiro club, which has led to an intensification of negotiations in recent hours.

The goal is to close the deal in the coming weeks. Lazio should be notified soon of the progress, and a meeting between president Claudio Lotito and the player's staff is already scheduled to align interests. If Flamengo presents a convincing offer, Castellanos is likely to formally express his desire to play in Brazil . However, a source confirmed to Gazeta do Urubu that Mengão stopped pursuing the striker after their first offer was rejected .

EXIT CONSIDERED 'STRATEGIC'

According to the Italian website, the sale of Castellanos is seen as strategic by Lazio, which intends to free up resources to strengthen other areas of the squad . The publication adds that the striker's future "seems increasingly distant from Rome and closer to Rio de Janeiro."

The potential arrival at Flamengo is seen as a significant addition to the squad , bringing in a player accustomed to the pressure of performing at a high level and with experience in international football. Flamengo is seeking a forward with different characteristics than Pedro, the current number 9.

Matheus Gonçalves' future is still uncertain , but for now, the youngster remains at Ninho do Urubu. According to journalist Venê Casagrande, Cruzeiro is ruling out another attempt to sign him. The Minas Gerais team was very close to closing a deal, but the transfer is unlikely to happen.

FLA BREACHED AGREEMENT

Cruzeiro's board claims that Flamengo failed to honor a previous agreement and remains dissatisfied with the negative outcome of negotiations in July . Despite this, it denies any new attempts and emphasizes that it is not insisting on buying the player.

Matheus Gonçalves on his future at Flamengo: "I'm fully capable of helping"

According to reports, Cruzeiro was angered by the "broken promise," as Matheus's sale had been agreed upon , but Flamengo backed out of the deal at the last minute. The player himself had wanted to move to Belo Horizonte and only learned the deal had been canceled moments before taking the field for a youth team match.

Surprised, Matheus had to adapt quickly to the new situation and adopted a conciliatory tone: "If Flamengo doesn't want to sell me, I'll work to earn my place . I've been here since I was 12, happy. I'm fully capable of helping Filipe Luís for the rest of the season," he stated.

LITTLE SPACE IN 2025

This season, the 19-year-old forward has played 15 matches and scored two goals for the professional team, both in the State Championship, totaling 371 minutes of play . He also played two more matches and scored three goals for the Brazilian U-20 Championship. With few opportunities under Filipe Luís, Matheus has also seen the also young Wallace Yan gain more playing time: he has already played 28 matches, scored eight goals, scored four assists, and played 998 minutes this season.

Flamengo started the round of 16 of the Libertadores with a victory . Last Wednesday (13), at Maracanã, Rubro-Negro beat Internacional 1-0, with a goal from Bruno Henrique, and started with an advantage in the continental knockout stage. With no time to rest, the squad will return this Thursday (14), at 3:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Ninho do Urubu, to begin preparations for a new meeting with the team from Rio Grande do Sul, now for the Brasileirão.

HOW WAS THE VICTORY IN THE LIBERTADORES?

Internacional's defense held out until the 27th minute of the first half. From a corner kick by Luiz Araújo, Bruno Henrique rose above his defender and headed the ball firmly into Rochet's net, securing the 1-0 lead and the lead for the second leg.

NEXT CHALLENGE

Flamengo and Internacional face each other again on Sunday (17), at 6:30 pm, at Beira-Rio Stadium, for the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship. Mengão is the leader of the Brasileirão with 40 points , three ahead of the vice-leader Cruzeiro, but with one game less than the Minas Gerais club.

DECISION IN THE LIBERTADORES

The second leg of the round of 16 will be on Wednesday (20), also at Beira-Rio, at 9:30 pm . With the result of the first game, Flamengo advances to the quarterfinals in case of a draw. The duel will be broadcast by Rede Globo (open TV), ESPN (closed TV) and Disney+ (streaming).

LOGISTICS

With two consecutive matches against Internacional away from home, for the Brasileirão and the Copa Libertadores, the red-black delegation leaves for Porto Alegre on Saturday afternoon (16) and will remain in the city between the two matches, without returning to Rio de Janeiro.