Race for SAF: Almirante Participações makes lone bid before Vasco sale | OneFootball

Vasco is going through decisive days for the future of its football department on the eve of the court-ordered auction scheduled for this Friday (25). Until the close of activity this past Monday (21), Almirante Participações, structured by businessman Marcos Lamacchia, was the only bidder to formalize a binding offer, emerging as the clear favorite to take over São Januário and lead a historic turnaround at the club.

The financial model designed by the investment consortium involves much more than immediate spending on the pitch, directly targeting the backbone of the sports company’s debt. In addition to injecting R$ 650 million in direct investments — with R$ 500 million earmarked exclusively for payroll and signings over five years, R$ 120 million for work at the training center, and R$ 30 million for the youth academy — the buying group assumes responsibility for paying and renegotiating the accumulated tax and labor liabilities, an operation that raises the financial commitment into the billions.

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SAF auction and R$ 2 billion project

The agreement took on a practical shape with the active participation of Vasco’s elected board, led by president Pedrinho, who is already discussing next season’s sporting plans with the new partners. The arrangement of a R$ 150 million bridge loan with court approval has already guaranteed immediate financial breathing room to keep accounts up to date and secure major reinforcements, proving that the investor has the firepower to fund the rebuilding of the Giant of the Hill without resorting to empty promises.

The institutional calm ahead of the final hammer coming down stems directly from the legal settlement achieved after the former American partner withdrew all lawsuits and injunctions in the state court. With the case cleaned up at the trial level and no risk of new appeals or corporate blocks, the bidders were able to price the liabilities safely and structure solid guarantees to make the definitive transfer of control possible this week.

Financial guarantees and the future of football at Vasco

Although the public notice allows new bidders to submit offers up until the start of the auction session on Friday, the Brazilian group’s favoritism is unquestionable in the corridors of São Januário. Vasco heads into the decisive day with a ready technical project, bank guarantees submitted, and a budget timeline laid out to pay creditors and raise the first team to a new level of competitiveness in domestic and international competitions.

The outcome of the court hearing promises to put an end to one of the most turbulent periods in the club’s history off the pitch, allowing the coaching staff to focus solely on the trophies at stake. With finances restructured and debts under the control of those taking on the liabilities, Rio football is preparing to witness the rebirth of one of its most traditional powers.

Mário Junqueira, Felipe, Marcos Lamacchia and Admar Lopes before a Vasco match – Photo: X account of journalist Diogo Dantas/O Globo

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