Claudinho did not agree to go to Flamengo. But it’s too early for Zenit fans to relax.
Dmitry Zimin Aug 1, 2023 08:30 UTC Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
As an option for the Brazilian, keep Malcolm company in Saudi Arabia. The inhabitants of St. Petersburg are unlikely to refuse a serious offer.
Claudinho is Zenit’s brightest player after Malcolm’s departure. Many were convinced of this in the match with Akhmat, when he moderated the game in attack, dished out great passes and rolled gracefully at the end. It seems that the mood among the fans is the same: in order to fight for the championship, you must save the player at all costs. Perhaps, without Malcolm, he can open up in a new way and repeat the magic of the first season in Russia. After all, last season he died.
It is interesting that all these discussions took place against the background of active negotiations between Zenit and Flamengo on the transfer of a football player. However, the clubs could not agree on the buyout amount.
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What we know about the Flamengo negotiations: Claudinho was ready to go, but the Brazilians offered very little
The last 10 days have been very important in the midfielder’s career. According to O Globo, Zenit and Flamengo, through the mediation of agent Luis Fernando García, were actively talking about the transfer. It was reported that the footballer even previously agreed to a personal contract, so he was left in the hands of the clubs.
On Wednesday, July 26, the Brazilian journalist Vene Casagrande quoted the footballer’s direct speech on his social networks. She did not hide that he could go to Brazil.
claudinho
midfielder “Zenit”
“I am ready to play for Flamengo, but both clubs have to make a decision. I am not going to look for my departure from Zenit at all costs, because I have great respect for Zenit, a club that has always supported me. If the parties reach an agreement, fine. Now I continue to fulfill the terms of my contract.”
True, the first news soon appeared that contacts between the clubs were suspended.
García himself spoke first: “Are the negotiations with Flamengo still going on? They are currently in custody. Will the player spend this season at Zenit? It’s hard to answer. I’m not sure”.
claudinho
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, Championship
Later, the publication O Globo confirmed that Flamengo is no longer in contact with Saint Petersburg. It was not possible to reach a compromise. Judging by numerous insiders, the Brazilians offered about 15 million euros for the transfer, apparently in installments. Peter considered that this was a very small amount, since the players were buying for roughly the same money. That is, from the commercial point of view, it is a sale at a loss. The price of Zenit is 30 million euros, apparently, with the possibility of a slight downward movement. But Flamengo did not even discuss this option. Very expensive.
At the same time, Agent Garcia doesn’t give up. He has already said that there are many requests for Claudinho. And the future is not yet clear.
Where can Claudinho go? There is not great interest from Europe, but Saudi Arabia is not excluded
In June, information appeared that Marseille was looking at the midfielder. However, the club quickly denied these data. The player’s agent has repeatedly reported that European clubs are consulting with him. At the same time, it is strange that his names were not leaked to the press. This means that the interest is completely non-specific or does not exist at all. Otherwise, some plums would have appeared long ago.
At the same time, there has long been information on the sidelines about the possible transition of Claudinho to one of the clubs in Saudi Arabia. For example, in Al-Hilal, where Malcolm was not long ago. The club will definitely not be hampered by an attacking midfielder who can operate in both center and wing. Given the difficulties with the signing of Mbappé, the arrival of Claudinho does not seem like the worst alternative.
What was Malcolm’s period in Russia?
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But so far no offers. And Zenit’s financial requests (around €30 million) can probably only be met in the East. Or in the Premier League. But there was no interest from there during this time.
