Jorge Linares
Promoter Warren stated he was looking scout big names and unifications for Flanagan. Another name mentioned was WBA champion Jorge Linares, however at the time, the WBC ordered him to fight their champion at lightweight, Mikey Garcia. Flanagan, frustratingly said, "I'm struggling to get a big fight. No-one wants to fight me and then I end up getting a voluntary, and everyone slags the opponent. I think they've [WBO] made [Ray] Beltran mandatory. I want unification's. When I beat Beltran everyone will say he's old and past it. I can't win. I'm getting worked up over it because I am the best, and I want to prove I am the best but I can't until them fights getting made. He claimed he did not want a fight with Anthony Crolla." On 23 October, Flanaged stated a deal to fight Linares was 'all but done'.