Santos confirm they are in talks with Flamengo over the sale of Ibson

The 28-year-old, who arrived at the Vila Belmiro from Spartak Moscow last July, is held in high regard by the majority of Flamengo fans, as he helped the Rio de Janeiro outfit win the Campeonato Brasileiro once and the Campeonato Carioca three times in his two spells at Gávea.

Reports in Brazil earlier this week had suggested that the Rubro Negro were keen on bringing Ibson back to the club, but Muricy insists that no potential deal will be struck until after Santos' Copa Libertadores campaign.

''There has been talks between the two clubs,'' he told reporters. ''Ibson is a dream for Flamengo, but we are currently competing in a very important competition. We will leave this situation until after the Copa Libertadores.''