SportsEye
·24 de julho de 2025
Michael rejects Saudi offer and sends clear message to Flamengo

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Yahoo sportsSportsEye
·24 de julho de 2025
Flamengo forward Michael has decided to remain with the club, turning down an offer from Saudi side Al Ula, as reported by Globo. The bid, officially submitted to Flamengo, was structured as a one-year loan worth $2.5 million with an option to buy for $4 million at the end of the term. Ultimately, it was Michael himself who chose not to pursue the move.
Central to Michael’s decision was a reluctance to sign on to what he saw as a temporary project. Despite the financial incentives, the player was unconvinced by Al Ula’s overall sporting plan and opted against making the significant move at this stage of his career. Al Ula, notably, is a club in Saudi Arabia’s Second Division, and Michael's prior successful spell in the country—where he featured for Al Hilal—also factored into his thinking. According to Globo, Michael felt the opportunity did not match his long-term ambitions.
Beyond Al Ula’s approach, Flamengo is aware of preliminary inquiries from Qatari clubs, though those links are not yet concrete. The Brazilian forward remains a potential target for a range of Middle Eastern teams, but for now, he stays in Rio de Janeiro, at least for the immediate term.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Michael is currently sidelined due to persistent ankle pain and has not been included in head coach Filipe Luís’s squad for the upcoming league match against Bragantino. Flamengo heads into that fixture sitting second in the table with 30 points, continuing their pursuit of the league title.
The situation surrounding Michael reflects Flamengo's ongoing balancing act in the transfer market, as foreign interest remains steady for several squad members, but player preferences and career planning continue to shape the club’s approach. For now, Michael’s commitment to Flamengo remains firm, while the club monitors developments from interested parties abroad.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
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