Transfer rumors and controversy are swirling around Flamengo and Arsenal this week, as the Brazilian giants find themselves at the center of both a high-profile pursuit and an officiating storm. With Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus linked to a possible move to Flamengo or Everton, and Flamengo's director José Boto openly criticizing recent refereeing decisions, the South American club is making headlines for reasons on and off the pitch.
It’s been a whirlwind few days for Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus. Once the main man up front for the North London side, the 28-year-old Brazilian has found himself slipping down the pecking order after the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres in the summer of 2025. Now, with Arsenal gunning for Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory, Jesus is reportedly on the chopping block as the club seeks to trim its wage bill and reinforce its squad for a title push.
According to reports published on October 5, 2025, Flamengo and Everton are both keeping close tabs on Jesus, with the Brazilian club keen to bring the former Manchester City forward back home. However, there’s a catch: Arsenal’s £30 million asking price is proving to be a major stumbling block for Flamengo, who are hoping the Gunners might lower their demands. Meanwhile, Everton, flush with Premier League cash, seem to have the financial muscle to meet the valuation if the player decides to stay in England.
For Jesus, the situation is clear—he needs regular playing time to reignite his career. After all, no one wants to spend their prime years warming the bench, especially not a player with his pedigree. The Brazilian international has already proven his mettle in the Premier League with Manchester City, and there’s little doubt he could make a big impact at either Everton or Flamengo. The big question now is: where will he end up?
From Arsenal’s perspective, offloading Jesus for £30 million would be a masterstroke. The club has already moved decisively in the transfer market, signing Gyokeres as their new first-choice striker. With big ambitions for both domestic and European silverware, Arsenal are eager to clear out fringe players and bring in reinforcements who can help them finally break their Premier League title drought and make a deep run in the Champions League.
“If Arsenal manage to recoup £30 million from Gabriel Jesus’s departure, it would be a sensational bit of business for them,” noted one report, highlighting the club’s shrewd approach to squad building. And for Jesus, the next move could define the rest of his career. Whether he chooses the bright lights of the Premier League with Everton or a homecoming to Flamengo, one thing is certain: he’ll be looking for guarantees of regular game time.
While transfer speculation dominates the headlines, Flamengo are also embroiled in a very different kind of drama. On October 5, 2025, club director José Boto made waves with a fiery press conference, taking aim at what he sees as a pattern of refereeing errors that have cost Flamengo dearly in recent matches. Although Boto admitted that Flamengo’s defeat to Bahia was down to their own mistakes—"We lost because of our own mistakes, to put it simply"—he pulled no punches when discussing other incidents that have left the club and its fans fuming.
In particular, Boto pointed to a "blatant error" that handed direct rivals Palmeiras an advantage in the previous round. His frustration was palpable as he called on the Central Exchange Football, the governing body overseeing referees, to finally address Flamengo’s repeated complaints. “What is happening in other stadiums? It is a disgrace. An absolute disgrace,” Boto declared, his words echoing the anger felt by many supporters.
The director didn’t stop there. He singled out a referee who had officiated Flamengo’s match last Thursday—October 2, 2025—and then was assigned to referee their opponent’s next game, where more controversial decisions followed. “The referee who hurt us last Thursday? He gets a prize – he whistles for our opponent – and he does what he did,” Boto said, barely concealing his disbelief.
For Flamengo, the sense of injustice is only growing. Boto revealed that the club has been "knocking on the door of the CBF week after week, pleading their case to the head of the refereeing committee." Yet, according to him, their efforts have been met with silence. “What we see elsewhere leaves us with suspicions about what is really happening behind closed doors,” he added, suggesting that the integrity of the competition is at stake.
Despite the mounting frustration, Flamengo are determined to keep their focus on the pitch. “We are at the limit. We are talking to them, we are showing them plays that are costing us dearly,” Boto explained, emphasizing the club’s commitment to fair play even as they feel the odds are stacked against them. The director warned that these repeated errors are “distorting the competition,” a sentiment echoed by many in the Flamengo faithful.
All of this drama is unfolding as Flamengo pursue Gabriel Jesus, hoping to bolster their attacking options for the remainder of the season. The juxtaposition is striking: on one hand, the club is fighting for fairness off the field; on the other, they’re scrambling to strengthen their squad in the transfer market. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the outcome of both sagas could have a huge impact on Flamengo’s fortunes this year.
Back in England, Everton’s interest in Jesus adds another layer of intrigue. The Merseyside club, always on the lookout for proven Premier League talent, see the Brazilian as a potential game-changer. With the financial resources to meet Arsenal’s asking price, Everton could offer Jesus the chance to remain in one of Europe’s top leagues and play a leading role in their attack. But will the lure of a return to Brazil prove too strong?
As the transfer window edges closer, all eyes are on Gabriel Jesus and the clubs vying for his signature. Will Arsenal get their asking price? Can Flamengo overcome financial hurdles and ongoing officiating controversies to land their man? Or will Everton swoop in and keep Jesus in the Premier League?
For now, nothing is set in stone. The only certainty is that both the transfer saga and the refereeing row are far from over. Flamengo, caught between hope and frustration, remain in the spotlight—on the pitch and in the boardroom. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how these stories unfold in the coming weeks.