Overview
- José Boto returned to Rio on Tuesday after meeting Almada’s representative in Argentina and publicly said Flamengo will not take part in bidding wars for the player.
- Reports place Flamengo’s offer at about €30 million for Atlético’s 50% share and River’s formal proposal at roughly €20 million, numbers that frame Atlético’s expectation to recoup its prior €21 million outlay.
- Boto warned the club will not exceed strict financial limits and said Flamengo will not wait indefinitely for a decision, stressing patience to avoid overpaying.
- Almada is on holiday in Ibiza and, according to people close to him, prefers a return to Argentina with River, a personal preference that is complicating talks and leaving Atlético to await the player’s choice.
- The outcome now hinges on Almada’s decision and family input, which could force Atlético to accept Flamengo’s higher offer, stick with River’s lower bid, or see the transfer stall and affect all three clubs’ plans this window.