Flamengo are putting in place plans to make Sporting Lisbon midfielder Elias their first major signing of the summer, at the request of manager Dorival Junior.
Elias, 27, joined Sporting from Atlético Madrid for a club-record €9 million in August 2011 but has failed to impress in Portugal. With five years remaining on his high-value contract with the club, it is thought Sporting are open to a loan that will help reduce their wage bill.
The former-Palmeiras youth product has also been linked with Anzhi in recent times, but Flamengo are hopeful that new executive director Paulo Pelaipe’s good relationship with the player’s agent Carlos Leite will swing a deal in their favour.
Elias is best remembered for his time at Corinthians between 2008 and 2010, where he formed a fine midifeld partnership with Jucilei—now at Anzhi. He has gone on to win 13-caps for Brazil, all under former club manager Mano Menezes.
Thus far, Flamengo’s only addition to their squad for the 2013 season is Alex Silva, who returns from a season on loan at fellow Série A side Cruzeiro.
Source: Terra
