Wesley, the 21-year-old right-back, left Flamengo bound for Roma, in Italy, in a deal finalized on July 25, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, for 25 million euros fixed (about R$ 161.5 million) and up to 5 million euros (R$ 32.2 million) in bonuses for targets. The transfer, one of the largest in the history of the Rio club, marks the departure of a talent developed in the rubro-negro youth system, who said goodbye with a decisive goal in the 2-1 victory against Red Bull Bragantino, in the Brazilian Championship. The player, who boarded for Italy on the 26th, expressed gratitude to the fans and promised to return to the club in the future. The sale was only completed after Flamengo secured the signing of Emerson Royal as a replacement, in a 9 million euro deal with Milan.
Wesley’s journey at Flamengo, which began in 2021, was marked by overcoming challenges and evolution. Criticized at the start of his career, the young player won over the fans with solid performances and offensive contributions, totaling 152 games, six goals, and seven assists. The transfer to Roma, a club led by Gian Piero Gasperini, represents the fulfillment of a dream for the player, who also attracted interest from clubs like Juventus, Manchester City, and Barcelona.
Wesley’s main achievements at Flamengo:
152 games played since his debut in 2021.
Titles won: Libertadores (2022), Copa do Brasil (2022, 2024), Supercopa (2025), and Carioca (2024, 2025).
Two call-ups to the Brazilian national team in 2025, with one assist against Colombia.
Decisive goal against Red Bull Bragantino on July 23, 2025.
Flamengo’s strategic negotiation
Flamengo handled Wesley’s transfer with caution, prioritizing a replacement at right-back before releasing the player. The board, led by president Rodolfo Landim, rejected previous offers, including one of 20 million euros from Roma, which was adjusted to meet the club’s demands. The arrival of Emerson Royal, formerly of Milan, sealed the deal, ensuring the rubro-negro squad’s competitiveness for the 2025 season.
The negotiation reflects the club’s strategy of capitalizing on sales of young talents while strengthening the team. Wesley’s sale, which could reach R$ 193.7 million with bonuses, positions the full-back as the fourth-largest transaction in Flamengo’s history, surpassing sales like Gerson to Zenit and Matheus França to Crystal Palace. The amount will be reinvested in signings and youth development.
“Estou realizando um sonho, mas com um pedaço do coração partido, porque estou deixando a Nação. Espero um dia voltar. Não é um adeus, é um até logo. Aqui eu estou em casa. Quando eu voltar, é Flamengo!”🎙️ Wesley, novo reforço da Roma.🎥 @flazoeiro_ pic.twitter.com/prcNBjPcP9— Planeta do Futebol 🌎 (@futebol_info) July 26, 2025
Wesley’s trajectory at Flamengo
Born in Açailândia, in Maranhão, Wesley Vinícius França Lima arrived at Flamengo at a young age, after a stint at Atlético Tubarão. His professional debut in 2021 was marked by challenges, with initial criticism due to defensive errors. However, under the command of Filipe Luís, a former player and current coach, the full-back evolved, becoming a key piece in the rubro-negro tactical scheme.
In 2025, Wesley stood out at the Club World Cup, where he caught the eye of European clubs with his speed and crossing accuracy. His performances earned call-ups to the Brazilian national team, with appearances in World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. Against Colombia, he came on in the second half and provided an assist; against Argentina, he started and helped secure an away draw.
European interest and choice for Roma
Wesley’s transfer to Roma was not the first approach from European clubs. Since 2023, the full-back has sparked interest from football giants. Barcelona attempted a loan with a 15 million euro purchase option in January 2023, but Flamengo refused. In 2024, Bournemouth offered 12 million euros, and Atalanta, then led by Gasperini, came close to signing him for 20 million euros, but the deal fell through.
Offers rejected by Flamengo:
Barcelona: 1 million euros (loan) + 15 million euros (purchase option), in 2023.
Bournemouth: 12 million euros, in July 2024.
Atalanta: 20 million euros (16 million fixed), in 2024.
Roma: 20 million euros fixed + 2 million in bonuses, early July 2025.
The choice for Roma came after direct talks with Gasperini, who had followed the player since his time at Atalanta. The five-year contract with the Italian club, combined with the opportunity to play in Serie A, weighed in Wesley’s decision, who turned down offers from other clubs, such as Zenit, from Russia.
Financial impact of the transfer
Wesley’s sale places Flamengo in a privileged financial position. The fixed value of R$ 161.5 million, with the potential to reach R$ 193.7 million, surpasses historic transactions of the club, such as Lucas Paquetá to Milan (R$ 150 million) and Reinier to Real Madrid (R$ 139.1 million). Only the sale of Vinícius Júnior, for 45 million euros in 2017, remains as the largest in rubro-negro history.
Flamengo plans to use the resources to strengthen the squad and invest in the youth academy, which has already produced names like Vinícius Júnior, Paquetá, and Reinier. The signing of Emerson Royal, for 9 million euros, was a quick move to fill the gap left by Wesley, while other reinforcements, such as Saúl Ñíguez and ongoing negotiations with Jorge Carrascal and Samuel Lino, indicate an active market.
Emotional farewell and promise of return
Before boarding for Italy, Wesley bid farewell to his teammates at Ninho do Urubu and left a message to the rubro-negro fans. In an interview at Galeão Airport, the player highlighted the importance of the criticism received at the beginning of his career, which helped him grow, and expressed gratitude to the club that trained him.
Wesley’s statements:
“I thank the Nation. The criticisms made me evolve and get where I am.”
“I’m fulfilling a dream, but with a broken heart for leaving Flamengo.”
“It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later. I hope to return and be a champion with Flamengo.”
The full-back was also surprised by the transfer value, which surpassed that of Vinícius Júnior. He promised to meet the targets stipulated in the contract with Roma, such as minutes played and achievements, to guarantee the bonuses to Flamengo.
Arrival of Emerson Royal
The signing of Emerson Royal, announced on July 24, 2025, was decisive for Wesley’s release. The 26-year-old full-back, who was at Milan, returns to Brazil after stints at Barcelona, Tottenham, and Milan. The negotiation, worth 9 million euros (R$ 58 million), was completed in 48 hours, surpassing a proposal from Besiktas, in Turkey.
Royal, who suffered a calf injury in January 2025, arrives in Rio de Janeiro on the 26th for medical exams and contract signing. His experience in European leagues is seen as an immediate reinforcement for Flamengo’s right-back, which seeks greater defensive solidity after conceding 22 goals in the 2024 Brazilian Championship.
Wesley’s preparation at Roma
At Roma, Wesley will be integrated into the squad during the August 2025 preseason, under the command of Gian Piero Gasperini. The coach, who had already tried to sign him at Atalanta, sees the Brazilian as a fundamental piece for the right side of the field. Roma, which also signed young talents like Evan Ferguson and Nils El Aynaoui, bets on Wesley for its reconstruction.
The player should undergo medical exams in the coming days and start training. His debut could happen in a friendly against Kaiserslautern, in Germany, scheduled for July 27. With two games for the Brazilian national team in 2025, Wesley arrives in Serie A with the ambition to establish himself and maintain his upward trajectory.
History of Flamengo’s major sales
Wesley’s transfer reinforces Flamengo’s tradition of negotiating young talents for significant values. The Rio club has established itself as one of the main player developers in Brazil, with a history of millionaire sales.
Flamengo’s biggest sales:
Vinícius Júnior: 45 million euros (Real Madrid, 2017).
Lucas Paquetá: 35 million euros (Milan, 2019).
Reinier: 30 million euros (Real Madrid, 2020).
Wesley: 25 million euros + 5 million in bonuses (Roma, 2025).
Gerson: 25 million euros (Zenit, 2025).
Expectations for the 2025 season
Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, remains focused on maintaining competitiveness in the 2025 season. After an early elimination in the 2024 Libertadores, the club seeks to reinforce the squad to compete in the Brazilian Championship, Copa do Brasil, and other tournaments. The arrival of Royal and other reinforcements, such as Saúl Ñíguez, signals robust planning.
Meanwhile, Wesley begins a new phase in his career, with the mission of adapting to Italian football and conquering space at Roma. His versatility, speed, and experience in major competitions, such as the Club World Cup and Libertadores, are assets for success in Europe.
