Everton make contact for Flamengo defender – Toffees told €60m initially

Everton have now entered the picture for Flamengo centre-back Léo Pereira, adding another Premier League name to a race that already included West Ham United.

According to journalist Felipe Silva on local ESPN TV, Everton made contact to understand the conditions of a potential deal. The move has not advanced so far. Flamengo are expected to resist any approach at this stage, while continuing to see the defender as part of their plans for 2026.

Meanwhile, West Ham remain involved in the background. ESPN confirmed that the London club also checked the situation in recent days. As previously reported by other sources in Brazil, that interest stopped at an initial enquiry, with no proposal submitted. Flamengo’s response to both clubs followed the same line.

From the Brazilian side’s perspective, Léo Pereira is untouchable at this stage. He is a guaranteed starter under head coach Filipe Luís and played a central role in what local media described as the strongest defence in Brazil during 2025. Club officials see no sporting reason to weaken that unit ahead of a demanding calendar.

Everton would need to find out truth on price

Any possible exit would depend on the activation of the player’s release clause, according to the Flamengo slant.

That figure stands at €60m, and applies to clubs outside Brazil.

Sources close to Flamengo view that valuation as a deterrent rather than an opening for talks. How strong that stance is remains to be seen, because it would be hard to turn down even half that for a 29-year-old.

In recent weeks, Flamengo have also received contact from Cruz Azul, Sevilla and Valencia. None of those approaches changed the picture, with none of those clubs having finances to rival the Premier League.

For Everton, the move looks exploratory. For West Ham, it remains a parallel check.

Flamengo have Léo Pereira on a contract lasting until December 2027, so are relatively well protected.