Fluminense Football Club has set its gaze on strategic player acquisitions to strengthen its lineup for the upcoming 2025 season, showing significant interest in two talents: Agustín Canobbio from Athletico-PR and Joaquín Lavega from River Plate-URU.
The news broke when journalist Venê Casagrande reported on Fluminense's efforts to secure Canobbio, who has been on the radar since his club, Athletico-PR, faced relegation. The 26-year-old forward, currently under contract until 2026, has emerged as one of Athletico's key assets, and Fluminense is crafting a plan to capitalize on this situation.
Previously, Fluminense had engaged with Athletico-PR over Canobbio's potential transfer. Despite initial challenges concerning the club's demanding transfer fee—around R$ 28 million—conversations are expected to formalize soon. Canobbio has had impressive stats since joining Athletico-PR, netting 18 goals and providing 16 assists over his tenure. To entice Athletico-PR, Fluminense is reportedly considering including Uruguayan player David Terans as part of the negotiation, leveraging Terans' successful stint with Athletico-PR from 2021 to 2023.
Meanwhile, the club made headlines by announcing the signing of 19-year-old forward Joaquín Lavega. The transfer, occurring on December 30, 2024, caught many by surprise, particularly fans of rival club Vasco da Gama, who were already negotiating with Lavega just days before his contract was finalized with Fluminense. Lavega, fresh off his participation with the Uruguayan national team under coach Marcelo Bielsa, had shown promise during his recent season at River Plate-URU, contributing 11 goals and several assists.
Fluminense secured Lavega with a five-year contract, enhancing its attacking options significantly. This move came after Fluminense's scouting team recognized the urgency to fill vacated spots, particularly since coach Mano Menezes only has limited wing options on the current roster.
Fans reacted enthusiastically on social media platforms, poking fun at Vasco for losing the player to their rivals. The engagement from supporters highlighted Lavega's potential to become a fan favorite, with his previous accomplishments and age aligning well with Fluminense's long-term footballing vision.
With three signings already made—midfielder Hércules, defender Juan Freytes, and striker Paulo Baya—Fluminense aims to make eight to ten roster adjustments before the Campeonato Carioca begins. The club plans to utilize young talents from its Xerém academy to address slender areas within the squad, ensuring the upcoming season is fruitful.
Looking forward, Fluminense enthusiasts are watching closely as negotiations and interviews progress concerning Canobbio and any additional targets. By bringing Lavega and possibly Canobbio onboard, the club not only strengthens its ranks but also indicates its ambition to compete more fiercely on both domestic and international fronts.
With fresh faces expected within the squad and high hopes resting on young talents, Fluminense is poised for a promising 2025 season. The football community eagerly anticipates how these strategic acquisitions will manifest on the pitch.
Time will tell how successfully Fluminense balances its ambitions with the realities of transfer negotiations, but for now, the excitement around its strategic player moves is palpable.