Big push: Vasco step up talks to sign Gabriel Ávalos for R$6.2m | OneFootball

Vasco has opened talks and moved forward to complete the signing of 35-year-old Paraguayan striker Gabriel Ávalos, who currently plays for Argentina’s Independiente. The news of the Rio club’s aggressive move was revealed on Friday morning (21) by Argentine journalists Nelson Lafit and Mati Martinez.

According to the Argentine press, Vasco’s board is willing to invest to wrap up the deal quickly. Talks are at an advanced stage, to the point that there is a real possibility Ávalos could be rested and not take the field for Independiente in this weekend’s local league match.

To release the striker on a permanent deal, the Avellaneda club’s board set the asking price at $1.2 million (around R$6.2 million at the current exchange rate). From both the player’s and the Argentine club’s side, the situation is viewed with complete optimism, and there are no contractual barriers preventing the move to Brazilian football.

In the last few hours, Olimpia, the club eliminated by the Giant of the Hill in the Copa Sudamericana this past Thursday (20), also showed interest in Ávalos.

+ Vasco is considering signing up to two forwards in the market and is monitoring attacking options

Search for an experienced No. 9 at Vasco

The search for an experienced attacking reference is in line with coach Pedro Emanuel’s priority to strengthen Vasco’s attack for the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship and the decisive stages of the cups.

Vasco’s board sees Ávalos as a competitive profile, with a strong penalty-box presence and the ability to make an immediate impact, addressing the squad’s lack of finishers. Personal terms with the player are well aligned, with only the formal bureaucratic steps between the clubs remaining before the contract can be signed.

Who is Gabriel Ávalos?

Born in Edelira, Paraguay, Gabriel Ávalos is a physically imposing striker, strong in the air and highly experienced in South American football. He built solid spells at clubs in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, gaining major recognition nationally while playing for Argentinos Juniors, where he became a key figure and prolific scorer.

Frequently called up to the Paraguay National Team, and having even played in editions of the Copa América and the World Cup, the striker moved to Independiente, where he became a starter and the main penalty-box reference for the Avellaneda side. In 2026, Ávalos still retains the traits of a combative box striker, making him an experienced and immediate solution for Vasco’s attack.

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