John Árias regrets leaving Fluminense and looks for a new club in Europe Por Maria
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Colombian midfielder John Árias, 28, expressed dissatisfaction with his time at Wolverhampton, a Premier League club, and plans to leave the team in January 2026. Signed from Fluminense in July 2025 for 22 million euros, the player faces difficulties adapting to English football, with just one assist in seven games as a starter. Árias prioritizes Fluminense if he chooses to return to Brazil, where the Rio club maintains a preference clause. The January transfer window will be decisive for his future.
The tactical change imposed by coach Vítor Pereira, who positions Árias in more defensive roles, limits his offensive creativity, a notable characteristic of his time at Fluminense. The English club, in 15th place in the Premier League, faces pressure for results. Árias has already lost space in the Colombian team, being called up for just three recent friendlies.
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- Current performance: One assist in seven games as a starter.
- Contract: Valid until 2029, with option to extend for one year.
- Market value: Estimated at 17 million euros.
Fluminense is following the situation closely, aware of the possibility of repatriating the player, who promised to prioritize the club in negotiations in Brazil.
Difficulties in adapting
The intense pace of the Premier League has been an obstacle for Arias. He played 11 games in total, with no goals and a single assist, againstManchester United, in September 2025. The physical demands and lack of freedom in the tactical scheme make it difficult for them to perform, reducing their average playing time to 58 minutes per match.
Interest from Brazilian clubs
Palmeiras and Flamengo intensified surveys for Árias in October 2025. Palmeiras offered 18 million euros, aiming to reinforce the attack for the 2026 Libertadores. Flamengo plans a salary of 1.2 million euros per year, betting on the player’s versatility as an attacking midfielder. Botafogo is also monitoring the situation, but Árias prefers to remain in Europe.
Prioridade ao Fluminense
O Fluminense detém uma cláusula de preferência que permite imatch offers from other Brazilian clubs. The Tricolor board rejected proposals from rivals in July 2025, preserving the relationship with the player. Arias’ possible return is seen as an opportunity to regain the technical leadership lost after his departure, especially in a team undergoing reconstruction for 2026. The Rio club maintains 10% of the economic rights, guaranteeing participation in future negotiations. The sale to Wolverhampton yielded 16 million euros for Fluminense, with 6 million going to Patriotas, from Colombia.
Legacy at Fluminense
During his time at Fluminense, which began in 2021, Árias played 230 games, scoring 47 goals and registering 55 assists. He was elected to the 2023 Libertadores ideal team after a 2-1 victory over Flamengo in the final, and scored two decisive goals in the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana against LDU. At the 2025 Club World Cup, he stood out with a goal against Ulsan and an assist in the semi-final against Chelsea. His versatility as a right winger and attacking midfielder made him an idol for Tricolor fans.
Strategies for January
With the January 2026 transfer window approaching, Wolverhampton are considering a loan with an option to buy to preserve Arias’ market value. The player prefers leagues such as Spanish or Italian, where he believes his playing style will be better utilized. Árias scheduled meetings with his agent to analyze proposals, prioritizing clubs that offer more minutes on the field.
Impact on the Colombian national team
The drop in performance at Wolverhampton afconfirmed the presence of Arias in the Colombian team. Starting in all six matches of the 2024 Copa América, he was only called up for recent friendlies, losing place to Fluminense’s Kevin Serna.
