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21-year-old striker Matheus França is on Cruzeiro's radar for the remainder of the season. Revealed by Flamengo and sold for €20 million two years ago , the player lost his place at Crystal Palace and is negotiating the possibility of playing on loan in Brazilian football. Negotiations are still in their early stages, but there has already been contact between the player's representatives and the club's board.

A standout in the Brazilian national team's youth ranks, Matheus França was promoted to Flamengo's senior team in 2022, scoring six goals in the victorious Libertadores and Copa do Brasil campaigns. In 2023, under Vítor Pereira, he maintained strong performances, with three goals and an assist in the first half of the year , before moving on to the Premier League.

The sale to Crystal Palace was brokered by John Textor, who was impressed by the youngster's performance in an under-20 match against Botafogo. The deal included a fixed €20 million and an additional €5 million in bonuses for targets that were not met.

INJURIES AND LACK OF SPACE

Physical problems, such as back and thigh injuries, limited the Brazilian's adaptation to English football. In two seasons, Matheus França played 19 matches, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Despite being part of the FA Cup-winning squad, he missed key moments , such as the recent Super Cup against Liverpool, when he wasn't even included in the squad.

CRUISE PRIORITIZES AGREEMENT

Cruzeiro sees the loan as an opportunity to strengthen its squad without a significant immediate investment. The goal is for the player to get more playing time , while Crystal Palace seeks a destination that will favor his development. The deal's completion will depend on the English club's willingness to facilitate the transfer.

The Italian press has once again mentioned Taty Castellanos as a target for Flamengo, but internal sources confirm that the board is not in talks with the Lazio player. According to an investigation by Gazeta do Urubu , major signings would only happen if there was an unexpected departure or serious injury to a starter.

The obstacle is related to the punishment imposed on the Roman club, which received a transfer ban for failing to meet financial requirements. The measure prevents the registration of new players until September , making immediate replacements impossible in the event of departure negotiations.

Castellanos , who played 40 games last season and 46 the previous season , is seen as a strategic part of the squad. President Claudio Lotito assured coach Maurizio Sarri that there would be no more losses in the squad. The promise was reaffirmed by sporting director Angelo Fabiani: "I shook the coach's hand twice," he told the Italian newspaper.

POSITIVE PLAYER ATTITUDE

According to the foreign publication, Lazio analyzed the striker's performance during a friendly against Burnley in England. Castellanos came on in the final minutes, appeared calm , and expressed no interest in leaving the club, reinforcing the board's commitment to keeping him.

FLAMENGO LOOKING FOR CENTER FORWARD

In the market, Rubro-Negro is looking for a number 9 with different characteristics than Pedro , prioritizing a more mobile and versatile player in attack. Names like Taremi, Beltrán, and Castellanos were evaluated, but without significant progress.

Michael's departure from Flamengo is getting closer . No longer in coach Filipe Luís's plans, the 29-year-old forward faces direct competition from Bruno Henrique, Cebolinha, and newcomer Samuel Lino , which has considerably reduced his opportunities on the field.

The player's last game was a draw against Los Angeles FC on June 24th in the Club World Cup . Since then, he hasn't played again and was even left off the bench, as he did against São Paulo on July 12th. This situation raised alarm bells behind the scenes about his future at the club.

DEFINITIVE DEPARTURE

Behind the scenes, there's an understanding that a temporary release wouldn't bring significant benefits . Therefore, alternatives such as a permanent sale or another type of agreement may soon be considered.

Even though he has recovered from an ankle injury, Michael was not included in the squad for the clashes against Atlético-MG, for the Copa do Brasil, and for the game against Mirassol, for the Campeonato Brasileiro . He is also expected to miss the match against Internacional, for the Libertadores, this Wednesday (!3).

AL ULA SENDS PROPOSAL

Flamengo recently received an offer from Al Ula, from Saudi Arabia, which included a one-year loan with a payment of 2.5 million dollars (approximately R$ 14 million) and an option to buy at the end of the contract.

Despite the value, the board rejected the deal because they understood that the format did not meet the club's sporting and financial interests.