Vasco join the race for two-time Libertadores champion midfielder | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama remains attentive to market opportunities to strengthen the squad for the 2026 season. The current focus in the corridors of São Januário is a multi-champion player, with two Libertadores trophies to his name, who is leaving Atlético-MG. This is the versatile Gabriel Menino, who, despite having a long contract with the Minas Gerais club, is not expected to stay in Belo Horizonte for the next year.

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Heavy Competition: Flu and Grêmio in the Race

The exclusive information from the channel Bica Galo indicates that the athlete has been attracting attention in the national market. Vasco, previously mentioned as one of the interested parties, now faces strong competition. According to the southern press, Grêmio has made recent inquiries, and the latest contender in this race is rival Fluminense.

The entry of the Tricolor das Laranjeiras into the circuit could inflate the negotiation and turn the pursuit of the player into a real “classic” off the field. Menino's profile, capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, right-back, or even as a creative midfielder, is seen as a valuable “joker” for any squad competing in multiple tournaments in 2026.

Contract Situation and Outcome

Although he has a contract with Galo until December 2028, the atmosphere for Gabriel Menino to remain at the Minas Gerais club is not favorable. The Atlético management is reportedly willing to negotiate him, either permanently or on loan with an option to buy, aiming to refresh the squad and ease the payroll.

For Vasco, the signing would be a strategic move to add winning experience and youth (the player is 25 years old) to Fernando Diniz's team. The Vasco board is monitoring the rivals' moves and studying the best way to present a proposal that entices both the athlete and the Minas Gerais club, trying to avoid an auction that could harm the financial planning for the season.

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