Flamengo have identified Paulo Dybala as their big dream signing, but competition from Saudi Arabian football could make the operation almost impossible. The 31-year-old Argentine forward is still a key figure at Roma, where he has been since 2022, and continues to attract interest in Europe and beyond.
Flamengo’s big target
According to journalist Jorge Nicola, Dybala’s name has strong backing within Flamengo’s board and even has the approval of coach Filipe Luís. The player was mentioned in connection with the club’s new sponsorship deal with Betano, fueling speculation about a move to Rio.
The idea would be to bring Dybala before the end of his contract with Roma. However, the challenges are significant: financial competition from Saudi Arabia and the fact that the Argentine can only sign a pre-contract in January 2026.
Saudi Arabia and other suitors
Saudi clubs are monitoring the forward closely and are expected to present lucrative offers. In addition, Dybala has also been linked with Barcelona, showing that the race for his signing extends beyond South America.
For Flamengo, the dream remains alive but distant, especially given the financial power of Middle Eastern clubs.
Dybala’s current numbers
Since joining Roma in 2022 after leaving Juventus, Dybala has played 36 matches in the 2024/25 season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. Despite injuries in past years, he remains a decisive player in Italian football.
Flamengo’s market activity
The Rubro-Negro have surprised in recent windows with bold moves, such as the arrivals of Samuel Lino and Saúl Ñíguez from Atlético de Madrid. At the same time, young revelation Wallace Yan is attracting interest from Premier League clubs and could be the next big sale.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
