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The saga involving Claudinho and Flamengo was one of the most significant in recent years in the transfer market. Flamengo attempted to sign the midfielder on several occasions, but always met with resistance from Zenit (RUS). Now, at Al Sadd (CAT), the player has opened up and blamed the Russian club for the failed negotiations.

Claudinho on failed negotiations with Flamengo: "they (Zenit) wouldn't release him"

"If I went to some team, like Flamengo or Palmeiras in Brazil, I might have had a chance with the national team too. But it turned out that they (Zenit) wouldn't release me and renew my contract to try to please the fans, and myself as well, so I wouldn't be sad at the club . They knew I wanted to leave, but they wouldn't release me, and when the window closed, they came and renewed it," said the midfielder in an interview with Flashscore.

Claudinho also made it clear that he genuinely wanted to play for Flamengo: "I really wanted to. I even spoke to some people at Flamengo . We had almost everything sorted out, but we just couldn't get it right with Zenit. These people sometimes think I used the offer to renew, but no. I really wanted to go."

WHEN WAS FLAMENGO'S LAST ATTEMPT FOR CLAUDINHO?

The last major move came in 2024, when then-president Rodolfo Landim confirmed a deal with Zenit . However, even after accepting the conditions proposed by the Rio de Janeiro club, the Russians backed down and abandoned the sale.

With negotiations falling through, Flamengo signed Argentine Charly Alcaraz, who cost R$110.6 million , becoming the club's most expensive signing. Lacking space under Filipe Luís, the midfielder was loaned to Everton (ENG), which exercised its purchase option.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME?

While Claudinho remains in Qatar, Flamengo focuses its efforts on the Brazilian Championship . Filipe Luís' team faces Vitória this Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 21st round of the competition.

It's not just the opposing fans who view Flamengo differently. According to Filipe Luís, their rivals raise their game when they face the Red-Blacks, striving to showcase their best football of the season. In an interview with Zico on Flamengo TV's "Resenha do Galinho," the coach highlighted this special mobilization from his opponents , but said he sees the situation as a positive one.

Filipe Luís talks about Flamengo's opponents: "Everyone comes to play the game of their lives"

"Today we feel that way; we always face the best version of our opponents. We don't face an unmotivated opponent; that never happens. Against Flamengo, everyone comes to play the game of their lives, because you're more exposed than ever, so it's an opportunity to show Brazil and the world who you are . This also requires greater concentration and mobilization for each game. But at the same time, it's a privilege," said Filipe Luís.

TRAINER REVEALS BAD NIGHTS

During the interview , Zico commented that this situation naturally creates extra pressure for the coach . When asked about the impact on his daily life, Filipe Luís revealed that he has trouble sleeping due to the countless thoughts about the team.

"Most of the time, I don't sleep eight hours. I wake up during the night with ideas and thoughts about the team. It's a time when many ideas come to me, and it's a shame because I don't rest, my mind is always working . But during the night, many ideas and thoughts come to me. And that's when I try, the next day, to organize myself so I don't forget, because our minds are thinking machines," said the commander.

FLAMENGO MAY ROTATE ITS SQUAD IN THE NEXT GAME

Flamengo returns to the field on Monday (25), against Vitória, at Maracanã, for the Brazilian Championship. The match can be used to rotate the squad , as players like Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira are coming off a tiring streak and may be spared.

Midfielder Andreas Pereira, 29, has once again stirred up the backrooms of Palmeiras and Flamengo . According to Goal, the player has received a new approach from the São Paulo club, which is estimating a value between 12 and 14 million euros . Despite the interest, the athlete continues to express his desire to return to the Rubro-Negro, which has not yet made an official approach.

PALMEIRAS MORE ACTIVE THAN FLAMENGO

While Flamengo held only informal talks with Andreas in early 2025, Palmeiras has been more incisive. Eight months ago, the club offered €25 million , but the midfielder declined due to his emotional attachment to the "Mais Querido." Now, the situation is different, and the negotiations are likely to take on new chapters.

BANK IN FULHAM AND SEARCH FOR SPACE

In Fulham's Premier League debut against Brighton, Andreas didn't even leave the bench, fueling rumors of a possible exit . The player believes that returning to Brazilian football could be crucial to securing a place in Ancelotti's national team.

NEGOTIATION RESUMED

In the first half of the year, Andreas was very close to joining Palmeiras, but Fulham made it difficult to secure his release, and the deal fell through. This time, the midfielder is more willing to wear the Verdão jersey , believing that a change of scenery is the best path for his career.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

While Palmeiras remains active in talks, Flamengo remains focused on the field. The team returns to the field on Monday (25), when it faces Vitória , at Maracanã, for the 21st round of the Brazilian Championship, at 9 pm (Brasília time).