Well, Everton already knew Samuel Lino wouldn’t come cheap. However, what they probably didn’t expect was just how much Flamengo would want before even discussing a deal.
The Toffees have recently shown interest in the Brazilian winger, who’s enjoying the best season of his career. Roma tried their luck with a €25m (£20.9m) offer in the summer, but Flamengo turned it down.
That was already a warning. Then figures up to €42m (£37m) were suggested. And now things have become considerably more complicated.
The Brazilian club have decided they don’t want to lose Lino in January. And if someone really wants to change their minds, they’ll need to come armed with something close to €60m (£50.1m).
Flamengo not in the mood to negotiate
That’s the latest information from ESPN Brazil, where journalist Bruno Andrade explains just how determined Flamengo are to keep their winger.
Lino has a €60m (£50.1m) release clause, and the club will only consider opening talks for something close to that amount.
Even meeting those demands wouldn’t necessarily guarantee a deal. That would only be enough to get talks started.
Inside Flamengo, the 26-year-old is currently regarded as “untouchable”. They want him leading their attack in 2027 and have no plans to make life easier for European clubs.
Well, now there’s a clearer idea of what “much more” actually means. However, there’s still no indication Everton have made an offer. ESPN, meanwhile, don’t specifically name them among the interested clubs.
| Season | Club | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Flamengo | 54 | 3,537 | 15 | 13 |
| 2025 | Flamengo | 31 | 1,950 | 4 | 5 |
| 2024/25 | Atlético Madrid | 47 | 2,311 | 4 | 8 |
| 2023/24 | Atlético Madrid | 46 | 2,996 | 8 | 8 |
In the end, Lino’s numbers help explain Flamengo’s aggressive asking price. He rarely misses games, regularly plays over 45 matches a season, covers several positions and offers consistent attacking output. That combination makes him a difficult player to replace.
Backstage drama makes situation a bit delicate
There’s plenty happening behind the scenes, too. For a start, ESPN say Flamengo manager Leonardo Jardim – the man behind Samuel Lino’s brilliant form – isn’t expected to stay in 2027. Meanwhile, sporting director José Boto’s contract runs out in December.
On top of that, Flamengo are facing uncertainty over future sponsorship income. As a result, they’ve been busy securing several players on longer contracts. With so much already going on, losing Lino would only give them another problem to solve.
All of this leaves Everton in an awkward position. The interest is there, but the financial obstacle is enormous.
After all, the Toffees have shown they can do business with Flamengo before. This time, though, the Brazilian club are making it very clear they’d prefer not to do any business at all.
