Flamengo Weighs Marcos Leonardo as Plan B After Kaio Jorge Talks Stall

Overview

• Cruzeiro rejected Flamengo’s bids for Kaio Jorge, holding out for about €50 million, and Flamengo is not raising its offer.
• Marcos Leonardo of Al-Hilal is under consideration as an alternative, with only an initial inquiry made and no formal proposal submitted.
• Club evaluators note Marcos Leonardo is a penalty-area finisher more akin to Pedro, while coach Filipe Luís prefers a more mobile forward profile.
• High wages in Saudi Arabia factor into Flamengo’s calculations, even as Marcos Leonardo carries strong form with 11 goals in 16 matches this season and a goal in his latest league game.
• Flamengo is also monitoring another Brazilian center-forward playing abroad, seeking to finalize reinforcements before the Brasileirão opener on January 28 and the Supercopa four days later.