Vasco eyeing Crystal Palace player, check it out | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama remains active in planning for the 2026 season and has already started mapping the market in search of significant reinforcements. According to information obtained by the profile NT Vascaínos, the Rio de Janeiro club has shown interest in the Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma, currently at Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

At 31 years old, Lerma is an undisputed starter for the Colombian National Team and one of the main players for the English team. The midfielder is under contract until June 2026, which means he could sign a pre-contract starting in January if he decides not to renew with Palace. This condition could facilitate talks with Vasco, which is seeking strategic opportunities in the international market.

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Jefferson Lerma, from Crystal Palace (Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Sources heard by the report indicate that the player pleases coach Fernando Diniz, who sees in Lerma the ideal profile to strengthen the defensive system and provide balance to Vasco's midfield — especially in a season where the club intends to compete in high-level competitions like the Libertadores.

How Jefferson Lerma plays

Known for his physical strength, intensity, and tactical discipline, Lerma primarily plays as a defensive midfielder but can also be used among the defenders, a role valued by Fernando Diniz in systems with supported play.

At Crystal Palace, the Colombian stands out for his efficiency in marking, ability to recover balls, and simplicity in distributing passes. His objective and secure style has made him a key player for the team and for Néstor Lorenzo, the coach of Colombia.

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Photo: Reproduction.

Recent history between Vasco and Palace

It is worth remembering that Vasco and Crystal Palace already maintain a recent relationship in the market. The English club loaned Matheus França to the Cruzmaltino this season, in an agreement valid until June 2026 — which could facilitate future negotiations between the boards.

The name of Jefferson Lerma thus emerges as another move by Vasco to elevate the level of the squad in 2026, within a project aimed at consolidating the club among the protagonists of South American football.

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