Flamengo concludes the sale of right-back Wesley, 21 years old, to Roma for 25 million euros fixed, about R$ 161.4 million, plus 5 million euros in bonuses, equivalent to R$ 32.2 million, in one of the largest transactions in the club’s recent history. The negotiation, finalized on July 25, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, marks the farewell of the player raised in the rubro-negro base, who said goodbye to his teammates at Ninho do Urubu without training with the group. Wesley’s release only occurred after Flamengo agreed to hire Emerson Royal, formerly of Milan, as a replacement for the right side. The transaction reflects the strategy of the Rio club to maintain a competitive squad while capitalizing on significant sales, under the command of coach Filipe Luís.
Wesley’s departure, who signed a five-year contract with Roma, ends a trajectory of 139 games, four goals, and six assists for Flamengo. The player, who faced initial criticism from the fans, established himself as a starter with Filipe Luís and left his mark with a decisive goal in the 2-1 victory against Red Bull Bragantino, in his last match. The negotiation with Roma, started at the beginning of July, was concluded after Flamengo rejected an initial offer of 20 million euros fixed plus 2 million in bonuses.
Main numbers of the transfer:
Fixed value: 25 million euros (R$ 161.4 million).
Bonuses for goals: 5 million euros (R$ 32.2 million).
Contract with Roma: five years.
Games for Flamengo: 139, with four goals and six assists.
The arrival of Emerson Royal, for 9 million euros (R$ 58 million), ensures immediate replacement on the right side, maintaining the competitiveness of the rubro-negro squad for the 2025 season.
Negotiation with Roma gains strategic contours
The sale of Wesley to Roma was not an isolated decision. Flamengo, under the management of president Rodolfo Landim, known as Bap, conditioned the player’s release on hiring a worthy substitute. Roma, which had been awaiting a response since the beginning of July, pressed for an outcome, but the Rio club held the talks until securing Emerson Royal. The initial proposal from the Italians, of 20 million euros fixed plus 2 million in bonuses, was refused, forcing a more robust offer that reached 25 million euros fixed.
Wesley, who had already agreed on salaries and contractual details with Roma, was just waiting for the issuance of tickets to travel to Italy, undergo medical exams, and sign the five-year bond. The haste of the Italian club reflects the need to reinforce its right side for the 2025/26 Serie A season, while Flamengo demonstrated skill in maximizing the value of the negotiation.
🚨💛❤️ Wesley to AS Roma, here we go! New right back for Gasperini as Roma and Flamengo are exchanging documents.As soon as Emerson Royal formally signs in at Flamengo, director Boto will let Wesley travel. ✈️€25m initial fee plus €5m add-ons, confirmed since last week. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/E7WeOnv80M— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2025
Emerson Royal reinforces the rubro-negro side
While Wesley prepares to land in Italy, Emerson Royal, 26 years old, arrives in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, July 26, to undergo medical exams and sign with Flamengo. The hiring of the side, who belonged to Milan, cost 9 million euros, about R$ 58 million, in a definitive negotiation that surpassed a verbal agreement between the Italian club and Besiktas, from Turkey. The rubro-negro proposal, led by director José Boto, offered a permanent contract, more attractive than the loan with a purchase option of 10 million euros proposed by the Turks.
Emerson Royal brings experience from 215 games in European clubs, with stints at Betis, Barcelona, Tottenham, and Milan. At Milan, he played 26 matches in the 2024/25 season, 22 as a starter, but was limited by a calf injury in January 2025. His versatility, physical strength, and offensive support align with Filipe Luís’s playing style, who seeks to maintain defensive solidity and intensity in the attack.
Wesley’s trajectory at Flamengo
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Wesley Teixeira joined Flamengo’s youth categories as a child. His professional debut, in 2020, was marked by difficulties, with irregular performances that attracted boos from the fans. The turnaround in his career came under Tite’s command, in 2023, when he began to gain confidence. With Filipe Luís’s arrival, in 2024, Wesley established himself as an absolute starter, standing out for his speed, firm marking, and offensive contributions.
Memorable moments of Wesley at Flamengo:
Professional debut: 2020, against Bangu, in the Carioca Championship.
First goal: 2022, against Vasco, in a classic for the Brasileirão.
Decisive goal: July 23, 2025, in the 2-1 victory against Red Bull Bragantino.
Titles: Carioca Championship (2021, 2024) and Copa do Brasil (2022).
Despite the initial criticisms, Wesley won over the fans with his dedication and evolution, leaving the club as one of the biggest sales from the rubro-negro base.
History of rejected proposals for Wesley
Wesley’s transfer to Roma was not the first attempt by European clubs to hire him. Since 2023, the side has aroused interest from major teams, but Flamengo chose to hold him at strategic moments. In January 2023, Barcelona offered 1 million euros for a loan with a purchase option of 15 million euros, but the rubro-negro board refused, betting on the player’s potential.
In July 2024, Bournemouth, from England, presented a proposal of 12 million euros, also rejected. Soon after, Atalanta reached an agreement of 20 million euros, with 16 million fixed, but an impasse in the release frustrated the negotiation. In January 2025, Zenit, from Russia, offered 25 million euros, but Flamengo chose to wait for a higher valuation, a decision that proved correct with the sale to Roma.
Flamengo’s financial planning
The sale of Wesley for up to 30 million euros reinforces Flamengo’s financial health, which had a budget of R$ 800 million in 2024. The transaction, one of the largest in the club’s history, allows strategic investments, such as hiring Emerson Royal, without compromising finances. Flamengo also acquired 20% of Wesley’s economic rights in 2024, ensuring greater return in the current negotiation.
The strategy of selling young talents at high prices, while maintaining a competitive squad, is a hallmark of the current management. Other recent sales, such as Gerson to Zenit, reinforce the club’s ability to negotiate in the international market, consolidating its position as a powerhouse in South American football.
Reactions from fans and squad
Wesley’s farewell at Ninho do Urubu was marked by emotion. The player, who did not participate in Friday’s training, hugged teammates and members of the technical committee, according to reports from people close to the club. On social media, rubro-negro fans showed gratitude for the side’s commitment, but also lamented his departure, highlighting his growth and identification with the club.
On the other hand, Emerson Royal’s arrival generated enthusiasm. Fans celebrated the hiring of a player with experience in European leagues, seeing the exchange as an opportunity to keep the right side strong. The fans also praised the board’s agility in closing the replacement before releasing Wesley.
Filipe Luís’s role in the transition
Filipe Luís, Flamengo’s coach since 2024, played a central role in Wesley’s evolution and the transition to Emerson Royal. As a former side, the coach brought tactical teachings that transformed Wesley into a complete player, with emphasis on his ability to support the attack without compromising defense. The choice of Emerson Royal also reflects Filipe Luís’s vision, who prioritizes versatile and experienced sides.
The coach closely followed the negotiations, ensuring that Wesley’s departure did not leave gaps in the squad. His leadership has been fundamental to keeping Flamengo competitive on all fronts, even with significant changes in the team.
Arrival of other reinforcements
In addition to Emerson Royal, Flamengo recently announced the hiring of midfielder Saúl Ñíguez, formerly of Atlético de Madrid, at no cost, after contract termination. The club is also negotiating with Colombian Jorge Carrascal and Brazilian Samuel Lino, reinforcing the squad for the Brasileirão and other competitions. The transfer window, open since July 10, has been busy, with Flamengo seeking to balance departures and arrivals.
The strategy of hiring players with European experience, such as Royal and Saúl, reflects the club’s ambition to remain at the top of Brazilian football and seek continental titles. The fans await the board’s next steps, which remains active in the market.
Wesley’s next steps at Roma
At Roma, Wesley will have the opportunity to stand out in Serie A, one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The Italian club, seeking to reinforce its defense, sees the young side as a potential starter for the coming years. Adapting to European football will be a challenge, but his speed and defensive ability are attributes valued in the Italian championship.
The player should land in Italy in the coming days to undergo medical exams and start training. Roma, which has also hired other young talents in this window, bets on Wesley as a key piece for its reconstruction.
