Flamengo make offer for CSKA's Vagner Love

Brazilian giants Flamengo said Tuesday they have offered CSKA Moscow $7.8million for the services of Brazilian striker Vagner Love, who in 2010 spent a loan spell with the club. "We are very optimistic regarding this negotiation," Flamengo vice-chairman Michel Levy told sports daily Lance. The paper added the offer had been made on 29 December but as yet the Russians had not responded. "Vagner has always been in our plans, we are doing our utmost to get him. We have had important meetings...and are awaiting a response, optimistic there will be an agreement," Levy said. The 27-year-old Love, full name Vagner Silva de Souza, joined CSKA in 2004 and won the UEFA Cup in 2005. He has scored 110 goals in 223 games for the Russians but has recently said he wishes to return to his homeland. In 2009, he had a spell on loan with his first professional side Palmeiras, but failed to shine and then went on to Flamengo, who are also trying to lure former loan man Thiago Neves, who is currently with Saudi side Al Hilal and in whom the Brazilians have a 20 per cent stake.