Cruzeiro eyeing a target man, Chico da Costa under consideration | OneFootball

Cruzeiro is closely monitoring the situation of forward Chico da Costa, who played for Mirassol throughout the 2025 season and is owned by Cerro Porteño. Loaned to the São Paulo club until the end of the year, the player has become the subject of discussions between the Raposa and the Paraguayan team, which is open to negotiating part of the economic rights.

The negotiations are still in the preliminary stages, but the model being discussed involves a possible permanent acquisition, not a new loan. The interest in the player stems from coach Tite's request for a player with area characteristics, as Kaio Jorge fits another style of play, just like Gabriel Barbosa, whose future at the club is not confirmed. Newly arrived, Néiser Villarreal also has a style closer to that of Kaio Jorge.

The information was initially disclosed by journalist Pedro Torres from Paraguay and later confirmed by the portal.

Background

Francisco da Costa Aragão, known in football as Chico, is a 30-year-old center forward from Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul, who has built a career marked by extensive experience both inside and outside the country. Revealed by Athletico Paranaense, the forward began his professional career playing for different national clubs between 2015 and 2017, during which he defended teams like Inter de Lages, Tombense, Operário-PR, and São José-RS.

From there, Chico moved to international football and established a long stint abroad. Over the past few years, he has played in four different countries, representing clubs such as Venados, Atlante, and Querétaro in Mexico, as well as Sol de América and Cerro Porteño in Paraguay, Atlético Nacional in Colombia, and Bolívar in Bolivia. It was precisely with the Bolivian team that he experienced the most productive moment of his career, scoring 52 goals in 82 matches and gaining continental prominence, including a widely recognized goal against Flamengo in the Libertadores.

His good performance led him to Cerro Porteño, where he stayed for the next two seasons, accumulating 45 games and ten goals. In 2025, he returned to Brazilian football when he was loaned to Mirassol in mid-year until December, with a purchase option. At the São Paulo club, he scored six goals in 20 games. Cerro requested the player's return, who is now negotiating a possible transfer to Cruzeiro.

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