Sports
Flamengo Issues Deadline for Thiago Almada Signing
The Rio club sets a deadline of next Monday to finalize the deal ahead of the Copa Libertadores round of 16.
Flamengo has set a strict deadline to complete the signing of Thiago Almada. Club management wants to register the midfielder in time for the Copa Libertadores knockout stage amid mounting pressure over performances under manager Leonardo Jardim.
Flamengo has issued an ultimatum to Thiago Almada to finalize his transfer. According to reporting by Paparazzo Rubro-Negro and Pablo Rua, the Brazilian club has set next Monday, August 3, as the firm deadline to receive a definitive answer.
Management is rushing to register the midfielder in time for the Copa Libertadores round-of-16 clash against Cruzeiro. An official bid involving Atlético de Madrid and the player has already been submitted, but the deal must be completed quickly. In the video above, analyst Bernardo Ramos breaks down the behind-the-scenes negotiations and their sporting impact.
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Strict Deadline and Squad Gaps
According to Ramos, Flamengo's decision to set a deadline aims to end the transfer saga and provide immediate answers. The commentator questions whether the club has a backup plan if talks with the Argentine midfielder collapse, while also noting that Almada plays as a midfielder and does not address Flamengo's pressing needs for a center-forward or winger.
The urgency for reinforcements comes amid a rough patch for the team, following a setback against Internacional in the Campeonato Brasileiro and a previous elimination by Vitória in the Copa do Brasil. While the math still keeps title hopes alive in the league, on-pitch performances remain the primary concern.
Pressure on Leonardo Jardim and the Defense
Manager Leonardo Jardim's persistent requests for new signings have sparked debate. In Bernardo Ramos's view, the Portuguese head coach has a squad talented enough to perform far better than it currently does. While acknowledging Jardim's solid previous stint at Cruzeiro, the journalist highlights tactical friction between the coach's vertical style and the club's traditional playing identity.
Recent defensive vulnerability is another critical issue highlighted in the analysis. A backline once celebrated for its solidity under Filipe Luís has been conceding regular goals against sides like Vitória, São Paulo, and Internacional. Ramos argues that lineup adjustments are urgently needed, criticizing the selections of Vitão and Emerson Royal while emphasizing that returning players such as Léo Ortiz and Paquetá, paired with the potential signing of Thiago Almada, place full responsibility for the team's turnaround squarely on the coaching staff.
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