Everton push for cut-price deal as Flamengo stand firm on star midfielder | OneFootball

Everton have confirmed ongoing negotiations with Flamengo regarding the future of midfielder Carlos Alcaraz. The Premier League club stated on Monday that discussions are underway to determine whether Alcaraz, who joined Everton on loan in February, will remain at Goodison Park beyond the end of his current loan.

The original agreement between Flamengo and Everton specified an obligation for the English club to purchase Alcaraz outright if he started at least nine Premier League matches. With the European season now concluded, Alcaraz has fallen short of that benchmark, making only seven league starts in the campaign. As a result, Everton are not bound to trigger the €15 million purchase clause originally established in the deal.

Despite the lack of a contractual obligation, Everton have signalled their interest in keeping Alcaraz, though at a lower price than the one Flamengo initially set. The club clarified this stance while announcing the return of several other loanees, including Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala, and Armando Broja, to their parent clubs at the end of their loan periods. Unlike those cases, Everton emphasised that Alcaraz's situation is still under negotiation.

If no agreement is reached, Alcaraz is expected to return to Flamengo for the remainder of his contract. Flamengo, for their part, appear willing to negotiate but are holding out for a figure closer to their valuation of the player. The club is under no obligation to accept a reduced offer, meaning Alcaraz's future remains unresolved as both teams look to bridge the gap in their expectations.

For the time being, Flamengo must balance these off-field discussions with on-pitch priorities, as the club heads into critical domestic and continental fixtures. With Everton keen to find a compromise and Flamengo firm in their position, the transfer story surrounding Alcaraz looks likely to continue into the summer.

Source: Lance