July 23 – Brazil’s Flamengo have revived plans to build their brand in Europe, entering talks with Portuguese club Leixões.
“We are in negotiations with Leixões,” confirmed Flamengo president Rogerio Landim during a local media interview.
“We are in an advanced process. We are moving forward, if we go further we will take it to the Council for approval.”
In recent years, Flamengo, a powerhouse in Brazil, have won the Copa Libertadores multiple times and participated in the Club World Cup, but the club lacks profile in Europe.
Acquiring or partnering with Leixões, a second-division club in Portugal, would serve a panoply of purposes in a bid to internationalise the club’s brand, open the door to the European market, as well as provide a showcase for players.
In 2021, Flamengo reportedly came close to buying Portuguese club Tondela, but when Tondela were relegated Flamengo’s interest died down.
The club considers Portugal as the ideal gateway to the rest of Europe, with a large Brazilian community living in the country. Leixões is located 30 minutes away from Porto.
The club’s president André Castro has, according to media reports, visited Rio de Janeiro and met with Landim, suggesting Flamengo’s interest in acquiring the club, or at least partnering, is strong.
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