Vasco turn down Greek club’s bid for Barros, see midfielder as key for 2026 | OneFootball

Vasco has adopted an uncompromising stance in the European market to protect its gems and maintain the backbone of the team. The latest focus was on midfielder Cauan Barros, who received an official proposal from AEK Athens, the current leader of the Greek Championship. According to Jogada10, the Vasco board promptly rejected the offer, stating that the values presented do not match the athlete's potential and that he is internally regarded as a "fundamental piece" in the planning for the 2026 season.

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Contractual Shielding Against European Interest

This is not the first time Barros has caught the attention of the Old Continent, which raises an alert at São Januário. Recently, Vasco had already rejected an offer of 5 million euros (R$ 32 million) from Torino, Italy, and had also received inquiries from Galatasaray, Turkey. Aware of the athlete's appreciation, the club is protected by a long-term contract, valid until December 2027.

The board's great asset to prevent an unwanted departure is the astronomical release clause: 50 million euros (about R$ 314 million). This financial "wall" gives Vasco total control of the situation, allowing negotiations only if the values are truly irresistible. The understanding is that selling Barros now, for values below the clause, would be a strategic mistake, as the player is expected to appreciate even more being an absolute starter in 2026.

Barros had an impactful performance upon his return and quickly became a starter for Vasco – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

Path of Evolution and Absolute Starting Position

The decision to keep Barros is directly linked to his performance on the field. Raised in Vasco's youth system, the midfielder moved up to the professional level in 2023 but needed to leave to gain experience and maturity. His loans to Amazonas (27 games and 2 goals) and América-MG (28 games and 5 goals) were crucial for this evolution. He returned to Vasco in the middle of last year at the express request of Fernando Diniz and did not disappoint.

Since being reintegrated, Barros has taken on the starting role and brought the defensive balance the team needed. Alongside experienced names like Robert Renan and Carlos Cuesta, the 21-year-old was one of the pillars of the undefeated streak of more than ten games in the second half of 2025. With 24 matches played and one goal scored since his return, he has established himself as the "engine" protecting the defense, combining physical strength in marking with a qualified ball exit, a vital characteristic for Diniz's tactical scheme.

Cauan Barros in training at Vasco, at CT Moacyr Barbosa – Photo: Dikran Sahagian/Vasco

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