Vasco eye standout duo from relegated side for 2026 | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama has already begun movements to assemble the 2026 squad and found an interesting market opportunity in Rio Grande do Sul. With Juventude's relegation to Serie B confirmed, the cross-maltese board, led by Pedrinho, turned its attention to two of the main highlights of the Caxias do Sul team: the midfielder Mandaca and the forward Gabriel Taliari.

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Inquiries and the need to generate revenue

According to information from the radio station Itatiaia, Vasco has already made formal inquiries to understand the contractual situation and the values of both athletes. Juventude's drop to the second division forces the club from Rio Grande do Sul to drastically reduce its payroll and negotiate its most valued assets to maintain financial health.

This "clearance sale" scenario attracts the Gigante da Colina, which seeks to strengthen the squad without having a lavish budget for purchasing economic rights.

In the case of Mandaca, a midfielder with great physical strength and intensity, Vasco is not alone. Rival Botafogo, which secured a spot in the pre-Libertadores, has also made inquiries. The player is seen as a piece that can add combativeness to the midfield, a characteristic that fluctuated in the 2025 season.

Highly contested top scorer

The situation of Gabriel Taliari is even more complex. The forward was the top scorer and technical reference of Juventude in the championship, which naturally inflated his transfer fee and attracted more interested parties. Besides Vasco, Grêmio has already approached the player's staff to understand the conditions of the deal.

The competition promises to be fierce, and the Cruz-Maltino bets that the showcase of playing in a major club in Rio de Janeiro, combined with the possibility of participating in international competitions (if they win the Copa do Brasil or secure a spot in the South American Cup), might entice the player.

So far, there are no official proposals on the table, only inquiries about values, but the board knows it will need to act quickly not to lose the duo to rivals with greater immediate investment power.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.