In constant contact with De La Cruz, Flamengo is targeting three other positions for 2024; understand | Flamengo

Flamengo’s 2-1 defeat to Santos exposed old red-and-black shortcomings. Arrascaeta’s dream replacement, in bad shape, was not on the bench. A name to fill this gap remains a favorite since the last window: fellow Uruguayan Nicolás De La Cruz.

31 minutes into the 2nd half – goal from inside the box by Nicolas de la Cruz from Uruguay against Brazil

Flamengo maintains constant conversations with the staff of Arrascaeta’s compatriot to have him at the beginning of 2024. In recent weeks, there have been meetings between the parties, and the desire for the transfer is mutual.

De La Cruz had already expressed his desire to defend Rubro-Negro in the last attacks. The problem was and still is River Plate.

The 26-year-old midfielder is one of the great symbols of River’s current squad. Although they equally share the athlete’s economic rights with Liverpool-URU, the Argentines are in charge of the operation.

Other priority positions are left back and defense. Flamengo has already decided that it will not renew Filipe Luís’ contract and, therefore, is looking for a player who is capable of fighting for the starting spot with Ayrton Lucas.

In defense, Rodrigo Caio will also not have his contract renewed, while Fabrício Bruno, valued, has the possibility of playing outside Brazil next season. Léo Pereira is another who frequently receives proposals and surveys. Furthermore, he has been dealing with injuries. Given these factors and David Luiz’s advanced age, the club sees a need to hire for the sector.

Rodrigo Caio and the defeat to Santos, in fact, helped to expose another shortcoming in the red and black squad: the reduced number of midfielders. Rodrigo was improvised in the sector, a role he performed during his time in São Paulo. For the game at Mané Garrincha, Tite was without Pulgar, suspended, and Allan, injured.

Therefore, Flamengo is looking for a midfielder with marking and game-building capabilities. In the last window, Wendel’s name was on the radar once again, but the Russians at Zenit were not flexible.

With the Brazilian title practically discarded despite Botafogo’s stumbles, Flamengo is working behind the scenes to have a squad strong enough to become champions again in 2024.

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