In an interview with ESPN, Lucas Paquetá said he has been trying to convince Vinicius Jr. to join Flamengo to fulfill a promise from their past. Paquetá said he told Vinicius Jr. that he is there and only Vinicius Jr. is missing, and that he should come so they can fulfill what they promised. Paquetá also expressed certainty that Vinicius Jr. will return to Flamengo at the right moment. Vinicius Jr. is described as a 'dream' for the current management of Flamengo. During Paquetá's presentation at Flamengo, club director José Boto made jokes several times about Vinicius Jr. being the next target. According to an ESPN report in early February, both sides view a possible future agreement, and the report stated that Boto's comments were much more than just a 'joke'. Vinicius Jr.'s contract with Real Madrid runs until June 2027.

Flamengo's president, Luiz Eduardo Baptista (Bap), stated that a return for Vinicius Jr. is not currently a possibility for the club. Bap emphasised that Vinicius Jr. wants to continue playing in Europe and that the financial values involved in a potential transfer exceed Flamengo's current capacity. He also said the salary for Vinicius Jr. would be significantly higher than what the club is considering for Lucas Paquetá, concluding that there is currently no possibility of signing the player.

Flamengo sporting director José Boto insisted that the possibility for Vinicius Junior to return to his boyhood club is always open. The winger has already promised to make such a move. Vinicius Jr has ongoing contractual issues with Real Madrid, as there has not yet been any progress in an agreement to extend his contract, which expires in 18 months. Boto admitted that the contract is nearing its end and that Flamengo would not have to pay Real Madrid anything. José Boto also stated that one can only pursue players of this type when they genuinely want to come, and that it depends more on Vinicius Jr. than on the club. In the summer of 2023, Vinicius Jr traveled to Rio de Janeiro to watch Flamengo and promised that he will return one day, although he stated it would take some time.

Flamengo has publicly expressed a desire for 25-year-old Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior to return to the club. Flamengo's sporting director, José Boto, stated that a transfer for a player like Vinícius depends more on the player's own desire, adding that his contract with Real Madrid expires in June 2027. In addition to Flamengo's interest, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City have also been linked with the player.