On Vasco's list: Danilo Barbosa wants back, but as a defensive option | OneFootball

Vasco continues to scout the transfer market to strengthen its defense and is considering Danilo Barbosa for the center-back position. However, the board and football department view the 30-year-old as a last-resort option for the squad if talks with other targets do not move forward. The absolute priorities for the Cruz-Maltino management in defense remain Diego Carlos and Gabriel Pereira. The information was gathered and reported by journalist Sérgio Santana from ge.

Although he is seen as a secondary alternative by the Rio club, the player’s desire weighs in favor of a possible deal in the future. The athlete is very eager to return to Vasco, and behind the scenes, the indication is that an agreement would already have been sealed if the decision depended only on his will. Vasco’s leadership is being cautious and prefers to exhaust attempts for the main targets before opening official talks with the player’s representatives.

+ Vasco monitors Diego Carlos after agent attempts to terminate contract with Fenerbahçe

Vasco looks for a penalty-area center-back and a versatile profile

The search for reinforcements for the defensive system is being treated as a priority in Vasco’s board planning for the remainder of the 2026 season. The coaching staff is looking for players who offer leadership and physical strength, characteristics found in Diego Carlos and Gabriel Pereira. Signing a player for the position is intended to provide tactical support and protect the squad amid the challenges of the Brazilian Championship and the Copa Sudamericana.

The versatility of Danilo Barbosa, who plays both as a defensive midfielder and as an emergency option in central defense, is viewed positively as a way to add depth to the squad if needed. Developed in Vasco’s youth academy before moving to European football, the player has extensive experience and adapts easily to the club environment. The board continues to monitor developments in the transfer window to determine the right time to act.

Who is Danilo Barbosa: career, path, and titles

A product of Vasco’s own youth ranks, Danilo Barbosa was promoted to the senior team in 2014, but had a brief spell with the first team before being transferred to European football. In Europe, the player built a solid career with traditional clubs such as Braga and Benfica in Portugal, Valencia in Spain, Standard Liège in Belgium, and Nice in France, gaining extensive tactical experience and versatility while playing as both a defensive midfielder and a center-back.

Back in Brazil, the player represented Palmeiras in 2021, being part of the squad that won the Copa Libertadores. Later, he joined Botafogo, where he won titles and established himself as a versatile piece in the defensive system. At 30, the player views the possibility of wearing the Cruz-Maltino shirt again positively and ending the cycle where he began his football journey.

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