Flamengo are keen on signing Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz, according to multiple claims from South America.
The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus. His future is likely to be away from Southampton.
Argentine journalist César Luis Merlo claims Flamengo are in ‘advanced negotiations’ with the Saints to buy the midfielder.
The two clubs are ‘making progress’ and Flamengo will include Victor Hugo as part of the deal.
Journalist André Hernan, reporting for UOL, provides more information on this.
It’s claimed the Brazilian club are ‘close to a financial agreement’ with Southampton to sign the Argentine. Flamengo will offer €18m plus a player in exchange for Alcaraz.
Hernan says Russell Martin’s side initially requested €25m for Alcaraz. That was deemed too high by the South American club.
The track has now reopened after the Saints showed willingness to accept a player as part of the deal. Victor Hugo is likely to move in the opposite direction.
‘So you make a deal: Flamengo pay Southampton €18m in instalments and then you make a deal with one of the players, which is likely to be Victor Hugo. It’s going well, but nothing has been finalised at the moment,” he said.
“It’s also very much up to the player to agree and, from what I’ve heard, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. The player knows what Flamengo is, he talks to players, he knows how big Flamengo is and he knows what Flamengo has to offer.
“The question now is for the clubs to agree on the payment in instalments and which player will go to Southampton. It’s a negotiation that’s been blocked, but now it’s been unblocked and is going very well.”
César Luis Merlo and Hernan make no mention of whether 20-year-old Hugo is willing to join the Premier League side.
