Flamengo targets 10 accessible European stars for millionaire reinforcements in 2026 after titles; Mengão evaluates Endrick, Alaba, Sané, Paquetá and Griezmann

Flamengo, four-time champion of Conmebol Libertadores and champion of Campeonato Brasileiro in 2025, begins planning for the 2026 season with a focus on high-impact signings. The red-black board projects a budget of up to R$1 billion for the football department, including salaries and transfers, aiming to maintain competitiveness in national and continental competitions.

This strategy comes after a year of achievements that raised the level of the Rio club, with revenue from prizes and athlete sales guaranteeing financial sustainability. The technical committee, led by Filipe Luís, prioritizes reinforcements in positions such as defense, midfield and attack, without excessive spending.

• Main sectors targeted: reserve goalkeeper, left-handed defender and right winger.
• Budget for hiring: around R$600 million in January 2026.
• Strategy: balance between European experience and payroll control.

The club resists foreign harassment for key pieces, such as Pedro and Arrascaeta, while monitoring the market for specific acquisitions.

Viable options in European defense

David Alaba, from Real Madrid, appears as an accessible target to reinforce the left side and defense. The 33-year-old Austrian, with a contract until June 2026, plays little at the Spanish club due to recurring injuries, including a ruptured cruciate ligament in 2023 that ruled him out for 13 months. Seu market value, estimated at 4 million euros (R$ 25.2 million), facilitates negotiations.

Alaba, versatile and three-time champion of Liga of Campeões, could compete for position with Alex Sandro in Flamengo, bringing immediate tactical quality. Real Madrid, under Xabi Alonso, prioritizes young people and can release them without high costs.

Casemiro, midfielder of Manchester United, represents another defensive possibility. Aos 33 years old, the Brazilian has a contract until June 2026 and plays as a starter at Premier League, but the English club plans a renewal with a salary reduction. Avaliado at 10 million euros (R$63 million), he could return to Brasil, with São Paulo as a competitor, but Flamengo evaluates his use as an emergency defender.

Midfield highlights for tactical balance

Paulo Dybala, from Roma, offers creativity in the intermediary sector. The 32-year-old Argentine, with a contract until June 2026, faces renewal uncertainty due to injuries that limited him to nine games in Serie A 2025/26, with two goals. Seu worth 8 million euros (R$50.4 million) fits into the red and black budget, where he would act as a midfielder or right winger.

Dybala, world champion with Argentina in 2022, could raise the level of Flamengo in decisive duels, despite criticism for inconsistency in Itália. Roma, in financial crisis, hears proposals to ease the payroll.

Lucas Absolvido in July 2025 of accusations of betting manipulation by the FA, the 28-year-old midfielder recovered market value after 15 games in the Premier League, with three goals. Seu contract runs until 2027, but West Ham, in 15th place, considers sales.

Versatile attackers for the offensive sector

Jhon Arias, from Wolverhampton, is a recent idol of Fluminense and an immediate option for right winger. The 28-year-old Colombian, signed for 22 million euros in July 2025, played 15 games in the Premier League without goals, with the team in last place. The English club authorized searches for a new destination, asking for the amount invested (R$ 137 million). Flamengo, Palmeiras and Cruzeiro monitor, but the carioca leads due to Arias’s affinity with Rio.

Gabriel Jesus, from Recuperado and listed in December, the 28-year-old striker, with a contract until 2027, is worth 25 million euros (R$157.5 million). Sua identification with Palmeiras rivals the red and black interest, but the good moment of Arsenal (leader of

Antoine Griezmann, from Atlético from Madrid, is a distant dream at 34 years old. Renovado until 2027, the Frenchman scored 16 goals in 53 games in the La Liga 2025/26, but his versatility as an attacking midfielder justifies the 12 million euros (R$75.6 million). Atlético, runner-up, resists leaving, but Flamengo evaluates a bold proposal.

Young promises and goalkeepers on the radar

Endrick, 19 years old, lives ostracism in Real Madrid, with just one game in La Liga 2025/26. The Brazilian, signed for 35 million euros from Palmeiras, is negotiating a loan for January 2026, with Lyon as the favorite, but Flamengo appears as an alternative for regular minutes towards Copa from Mundo. Seu value of 35 million euros (R$ 220.5 million) requires creativity in negotiations.

André Onana, 29-year-old Cameroonian goalkeeper, is an option as a reserve for Emprestado from Manchester United to Trabzonspor until June 2026, Onana played 11 games in Süper Lig, with three clean sheets. Avaliado at 20 million euros (R$ 126 million), he would compete for a place in Flamengo, where Rossi shone in Libertadores.

Leroy Sua speed and assists (55 on Bayern) make him a target, but Galatasaray resists early sales.

Financial strategy and impact on the cast

Flamengo balances ambition with fiscal responsibility, after investing R$277 million in 2025.

Directors like José Boto and Filipe Luís emphasize quick adaptation, focusing on four reinforcements: goalkeeper, defender, winger and center forward. Saídas as well as Everton Cebolinha and Michael release vacancies and salaries.

• Priorities: Manter champion base and resist proposals by Pedro.
• Risks: Concorrência of São Paulo by Casemiro and Palmeiras by Jesus.
• Benefits: Elevação technique for Libertadores and Brasileirão 2026.

Planning is progressing cautiously, aiming for a squad of 28 players for the intense calendar.

Perspectives for Mundial of Clubes

Participation in Mundial of Clubes, in June 2026 in the USA, boosts cash with prizes of up to US$5 million. Flamengo, runner-up in 2025, seeks to repeat the podium with reinforcements that add immediate quality.

Targets like Alaba and Dybala carry Champions League baggage, while Arias and Paquetá offer South American identification. The club evaluates impacts on pre-season training, scheduled for January in Abu Dhabi.

Griezmann and Sané represent luxury bets, with salaries divided into creative proposals. The board projects a balance between veterans and young people like Endrick, aiming for continental dominance.