Flamengo’s €12m bet: is Carrascal the missing piece? | OneFootball

Flamengo have confirmed the arrival of Colombian midfielder Jorge Carrascal on a four-year deal from Dynamo Moscow, in a move worth €12 million, according to Lance. The 27-year-old will wear the number 15 shirt and becomes the club’s latest South American reinforcement as they intensify their push for silverware.

Carrascal’s addition has generated considerable discussion among analysts in Brazil, with ESPN’s Mateus Carreira highlighting the midfielder’s “dynamism and intelligence” after reviewing his spells at CSKA Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. Carreira noted the Colombian’s strong spatial awareness, explaining that he “starts away from the lines and projects himself to the spaces between them,” subsequently evading markers and finding pockets to receive the ball.

A particular point of emphasis has been Carrascal’s versatility. Carreira stated that the new Flamengo signing possesses the ability to operate across multiple roles: “He can play out wide on either flank, as an ‘8’, as a ‘10’, and even as a false nine.” The analyst also underscored Carrascal’s proficiency with both feet and his tendency to recognize pressure before receiving possession, often using anticipation to avoid unnecessary duels.

Originally from Cartagena, Carrascal came through the ranks at Millonarios before heading to Europe, where he featured for Sevilla Atlético and Karpaty Lviv. His career trajectory shifted notably during a successful spell at River Plate between 2019 and 2022. It was in Argentina that he built a reputation for attacking flexibility and contributed to significant title runs. In Russia, Carrascal logged 45 matches and seven goals for CSKA Moscow before posting eight goals and three assists in 35 appearances for Dynamo over the last campaign.

For Flamengo, Carrascal joins a crop of players brought in directly from Europe, such as Samuel Lino, Saul, and Danilo. Commentators are keen to see how his adaptable style will gel with manager Tite’s tactical plans and the already competitive squad. Questions linger over which of his roles—out wide, centrally, or as a creative connector—best suit Flamengo’s ambitions, but expectations are high that his combination of technique, mobility, and game IQ will add a new dimension to the team’s attack.

This transfer continues Flamengo’s trend of aggressive recruitment, using recent windfalls from player sales and international competition success to reinforce key areas of the squad. Carrascal’s ability to both create and finish chances could prove vital as the team navigates a crowded fixture list and the demands of competing across multiple fronts.