Sports
Saúl Set to Leave Flamengo, Freeing Up Wage Bill
Earning R$ 2 million monthly and out of Leonardo Jardim's plans, the Spanish midfielder seeks a new club to ease Flamengo's finances.
Saúl's impending departure provides immediate financial relief for Flamengo, saving the club R$ 2 million per month in wages. Out of manager Leonardo Jardim's plans, the Spanish midfielder requested a transfer following lackluster performances.
Flamengo is edging closer to parting ways with midfielder Saúl, who joined midway through last year at the request of then-manager Filipe Luís. According to journalist Diogo Dantas of O Globo, the Spanish player has already instructed his agent to look for a new team. Commentator Bernardo Ramos views the move as an excellent deal for Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, allowing the club to cut ties with an underperforming player who costs R$ 2 million per month in wages.
In the video above, Bernardo Ramos breaks down the Spaniard's current situation and details why a mutual release benefits both sides. Signed with a standout pedigree from Atlético de Madrid, Saúl delivered only rare flashes in Brazilian soccer, such as during the Copa Libertadores round of 16 qualification against Internacional at Beira-Rio last year. However, he never established himself and often appeared disconnected on the pitch, notably during the draw against Vasco at the Maracanã when the rival squad was managed by Renato Gaúcho.
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Financial Management and the Transfer Market
The Spaniard's exit aligns with the austerity measures enacted by the board led by president Bap, who took office under the Raça, Amor e Gestão ticket. Bernardo praised the board's refusal to overspend, pointing to failed negotiations for Luiz Henrique and Thiago Almada as positive examples of discipline. Almada, a member of Argentina's recent World Cup-winning squad, opted for River Plate after demanding a salary of R$ 2.9 million per month, even as the Argentine side suffered a six-match losing streak.
Despite supporter frustration regarding sports director José Boto's slow pace in finalizing signings, Bernardo sees maintaining a balanced budget as an essential strength. Flamengo will not have any new signings available for their Copa Libertadores clash against Cruzeiro, as the player registration deadline expired last Friday.
Tactical Performance and Squad Deficiencies
With Saúl out of Leonardo Jardim's plans, Flamengo must find solutions on the pitch and make precise additions in the transfer window. Bernardo highlighted that the first half of the 2-0 victory over Vitória showcased the team's positional attacking potential, featuring a stunning goal from defensive midfielder Pulgar and a dangerous attempt by center-back Léo Pereira that forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Lucas Arcângelo.
However, Bernardo raised concerns about the team's second-half approach, where the defensive lines dropped deep to play on counter-attacks. Beyond signing a new midfielder with the payroll space freed up by Saúl's departure, Bernardo stressed the urgent need for José Boto to recruit a left-back for the remainder of the season.
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