Transfer rumour · archive

Nicolás de la Cruz to Peñarol

Quiet since 11 August 2026. Last report: Cesar Luis Merlo. Probability when it went quiet: 14%.

Nicolás de la Cruz's return to Uruguay is still alive, but it has not got any simpler. Peñarol opened talks in late July, with presidents from both clubs speaking directly and Flamengo said to be open to letting the 29 year old midfielder leave. As of mid August, Cesar Luis Merlo still describes the move as standing, though he is explicit that the negotiation is not straightforward. Merlo is the driving source here, and a well regarded one, having broken both the original opening of talks on 27 July and the update on 11 August that the move remains possible. German Garcia Grova corroborated the story on the same day in late July, adding that Peñarol want a loan with no fee attached rather than an outright sale. Two credible voices, then, pointing the same way, though neither has produced a figure both clubs have accepted. The gap between what is wanted and what is offered explains why this sits as a long shot for now. Flamengo hold a player under contract until 2028 and valued at around €8m; reports suggest a fee discussion anywhere between €6m and €9m, while Peñarol are said to be pushing for a free loan instead. Something has to give on structure or price before this moves from talks to an agreement. De la Cruz arrived at Flamengo from River Plate for €15m in 2024, and River themselves had signed him from Liverpool FC for €13m. Those numbers dwarf anything Peñarol have paid recently, including €3m for a Grêmio signing in 2026 and €1m for a Liverpool FC arrival back in 2016, which shows how far off Peñarol's usual spending this fee sits. Watch for whether Flamengo will acc

Who reported it