Riquelme says “no” to Flamengo, exposes team weaknesses

Zinho in Flamengo’s press conference

We’ve been following Flamengo’s transfer saga in this international transfer window since the month began. Unfortunately for them, it hasn’t been much of a success as they saw Wolfsburg saying “no” to their loan bid to get attacking midfielder Diego, and long-time idol and center-back Juan, previously on Italian side Roma, chose Internacional instead of his childhood club also putting the blame on Flamengo’s board to his decision. And their (sad) story doesn’t end there.

Troubled Flamengo in transfer market

Zinho admits Flamengo might leave empty-handed

Flamengo entered this transfer window in much need of an attacking midfielder to organize their team, a centreback who could show confidence and be relied to not feature constantly in injury treatment, and depth for their attack, as well as some backups for their starter fullbacks. But so far, Flamengo only got Victor Cáceres: a defensive midfielder from Libertad, who plays in a position that Flamengo doesn’t need much reinforcement. And as the transfer window gets close to its end, Flamengo football director Zinho admits that the team might leave this transfer window without any other signings.

Riquelme and Diego linked to Flamengo move

Riquelme close to Flamengo

After suffering a heart-breaking defeat by Corinthians when playing with Boca Juniors, Juan Roman Riquelme announced that would be his last professional game with a Bostero shirt. He would look for a move to a club where he wouldn’t be a liability, as age has caught up with him and his superior technical ability hasn’t emerged in his last few games.

So enters Flamengo. Again.