Vasco eyeing Club World Cup standout, but one detail stalls talks | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama has already begun planning to try to erase the poor impression left in the Brasileirão and build a competitive team for 2026. The technical team of Fernando Diniz has identified a promising target in the international market: a 23-year-old attacking midfielder who participated in the Super Club World Cup. However, the negotiation faces an obstacle beyond the field: the financial credibility of the Rio de Janeiro club.

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Diniz's Desire and the Athlete's Profile

The target is Johan Rojas, a Colombian who currently plays for Monterrey in Mexico. He is seen as a "young prospect" with great resale potential and technical quality to take on playmaking duties. His market valuation is around 4 million euros (approximately R$ 25 million), an investment considered high but necessary to elevate the squad's level.

According to specialized press reports, the name is very appealing to Diniz, who seeks dynamic players with good dribbling ability. Vasco appears as one of the main interested parties, but enthusiasm is hindered by the defensive stance of the Mexican directors.

Johan Rojas in action for Necaxa – Photo: Sergio Mejia/Getty Images

The Credibility Barrier

The Mexican club has adopted an extremely cautious stance in the initial talks. The reason is the "bad payer reputation" that Vasco carries on the international scene, a result of years of financial instability and delays in payments for past transfers. Monterrey demands solid bank guarantees and payments upfront or with very short deadlines to proceed with negotiations.

To complicate matters further, the Gigante da Colina is not alone in the race. Clubs from the MLS (United States League) and Athletico-PR, known for its exemplary financial health, are also monitoring the Colombian. This puts Vasco at a disadvantage at the negotiation table, forcing the management to come up with a convincing financial strategy.

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