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Flamengo offers R$201 million to sign Luiz Henrique and defines payment plan for Zenit

Luiz Henrique
Photo: Luiz Henrique - Photo: X

Flamengo started behind-the-scenes moves to complete the hiring of attacker Luiz Henrique, currently at Zenit, from Rússia. The red and black board has already stipulated the values ​​of the investment and plans to pay 35 million euros for the athlete. At the current price, the financial operation reaches the level of R$201 million.

The football leadership is working with the aim of strengthening the squad led by Leonardo Jardim before the opening of the next transfer window. Luiz Henrique’s name is treated as a top priority to qualify the offensive sector. José Boto, the club’s executive, leads the conversations and seeks to strengthen ties with the player’s representatives. The strategy aims to use the attacker’s desire to return to Brasil as a facilitator in negotiations with the Russians.

Luiz Henrique - Instagram
Luiz Henrique – Instagram

Planejamento financial for the arrival of Luiz Henrique

The amount of R$201 million is part of the football department’s broader planning for the 2026 season. The club has set aside around R$300 million for new investments, guaranteeing financial breathing space for large transactions. Luiz Henrique, which rose in value after calls for Seleção Brasileira under Carlo Ancelotti, is seen as a safe investment. The board understands that the attacker’s versatility justifies his high market value.

Internamente, the managers discuss the payment terms that will be presented to Zenit. The Russians are known for their rigid stance in negotiations, which requires an aggressive proposal at the first formal contact. Flamengo intends to use its financial health to offer guarantees that surpass any competition from Europa. The expectation is that the dialogue will advance decisively by the end of May.

  • Valor total offer: 35 million euros (R$ 201 million).
  • Fundo reserve for reinforcements: R$300 million.
  • Responsável by trade: José Boto.
  • Técnico from Seleção Brasileira who called up the athlete: Carlo Ancelotti.
  • Current club Situação: Vice-leader of Brasileirão and leader of Libertadores.

Attacker’s Desempenho and international visibility

Luiz Henrique is going through one of the best moments of his career since arriving in European football. Suas’s consistent performances at Zenit made him a frequent player on Seleção Brasileira’s lists in 2026. Esse’s international prominence increases the complexity of the transaction, as other clubs monitor the player. The Flamengo board admits that the task will not be simple due to the athlete’s current contract at Rússia.

Market monitoring carried out by Flamengo is constant, even with a roster considered robust. Coach Leonardo Jardim has high-level reserves, but the marathon of games requires frequent rotation to avoid muscle injuries. Saúl, one of the recent names in the cast, revealed difficulties in adapting physically, which reinforces the need for new names. Luiz Henrique would arrive with the status of absolute starter to raise the team’s technical level in knockout competitions.

Articulação behind the scenes and role of José Boto

Executive José Boto has been holding daily conversations with intermediaries linked to the attacker. The objective is to create a favorable environment for Zenit to accept opening formal negotiations. The support of businesspeople and positive signaling from Luiz Henrique itself are considered fundamental pillars of the process. Sem the player’s willingness to wear the red and black shirt, the board believes that the Russians would hardly agree to reduce the initial requests.

The next few weeks will be crucial to determine whether the proposal will be sent before the vacation period at Europa. Flamengo wants to avoid auctions, trying to anticipate the bureaucratic steps of the transfer. Caso the deal is confirmed, this will be one of the biggest signings in the history of Brazilian football in nominal terms. The club remains optimistic, based on its recent history of successful negotiations with athletes who played in leagues abroad.