Flamengo set for major shake-up: key exit and a La Liga star incoming | OneFootball

Flamengo’s transfer window looks set for significant movement as the club nears a deal to send right back Wesley to Roma and closes in on signing Spanish midfielder Saúl Ñíguez from Atlético Madrid, according to Globo.

Talks around Wesley’s exit have accelerated after direct contact between Flamengo and Roma on Monday. With the Italian side eager to secure Wesley for pre-season and having agreed on personal terms—including a five-year contract—the expectation is that paperwork will be finalized this week. Flamengo had initially sought to delay Wesley's departure until a replacement right back could be secured, a stance that didn’t please the 21-year-old or his representatives. Roma, meanwhile, made clear their urgency on the deal, with manager Gian Piero Gasperini stating over the weekend, “We’re in a hurry and we want to start well. The transfer market has to speed up.”

If Wesley completes his move, Flamengo’s depth at right back will be stretched, leaving only Guillermo Varela as an available specialist. Full back options on the left are also thin, with both Alex Sandro and Ayrton Lucas out injured and Matías Viña having only recently returned from a long-term layoff.

Meanwhile, Flamengo are on the verge of bringing in Saúl Ñíguez from Atlético Madrid. At 30, Saúl is set to terminate his contract with the Spanish club after more than a decade of service, including a loan spell at Sevilla last season, where he recorded one goal and six assists in 26 league matches. He briefly negotiated terms with Turkish club Trabzonspor but withdrew for personal reasons. Flamengo seized the opportunity to open talks and now appear close to sealing the transfer.

Saúl has longstanding connections within the Flamengo squad: he was a teammate of new manager Filipe Luís at Atlético and played alongside Jorginho during a season at Chelsea. His arrival would bolster the club’s midfield ranks, which are currently dealing with the loss of Gerson and ongoing injury issues.

While the negotiations for Saúl advance, Flamengo also anticipate the imminent arrival of Colombian midfielder Jorge Carrascal from Dynamo Moscow, although final details must still be resolved.

With these moves, Flamengo look to address pressing needs in multiple positions, aiming to strengthen a squad hit by departures and injuries as the Brazilian season intensifies.

(Sources: Globo)