Flamengo Loses Both Transfer Targets After Talks Collapse

Overview

• Thiago Almada opted to join River Plate after rejecting Flamengo’s offer following last‑stage demands for a shorter contract, an immediate exit clause and higher pay, a turn of events reported Thursday.
• Luiz Henrique’s camp announced Friday that negotiations with Flamengo were ended after talks with Zenit stalled and the player’s staff cited events that made the deal impossible at this time.
• Clubs and agents clashed over money and payment form: Zenit sought roughly €35–40 million with larger upfront payment while Flamengo proposed a lower total and long parceling, preventing a formal agreement.
• The Copa Libertadores registration deadline pushed Flamengo to accelerate talks but the club refused to exceed its budget, kept the option to reopen talks if terms change and delayed selling backup striker Wallace Yan until a replacement is found.
• Supporters reacted angrily on social media and the twin failures raise political pressure on president Luiz Eduardo Baptista and director José Boto as the club weighs financial caution against sporting expectations.