Vasco make contact over centre-backs as fitness and fees slow search | OneFootball

Vasco are scouring the market for a starting centre-back, having held talks with several options, but no consensus pick has emerged.

According to Globo.com, contact was made for Luiz Felipe of Rayo Vallecano. The defender appealed to the hierarchy, and the deal was not seen as difficult, though fitness concerns were raised.

The Italo-Brazilian has struggled with injuries abroad, making only 24 appearances over the past two years across Marseille, Vallecano and Al-Ittihad.

Talks also involved Diego Carlos of Como and Gabriel Pereira of Copenhagen, but neither progressed.

Vasco tracked Andrei Girotto, formerly of Palmeiras and Chapecoense. With doubts over his physical condition, he moved on a free to Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia.

Fees, as well as medical profiles, are weighing on the search. Interest in Marco Di Cesare of Racing was shelved because Vasco are already negotiating with the Argentine club for midfielder Santiago Sosa.

Talks are advanced only for Sosa and Deossa. There is optimism Sosa could be completed this week, while negotiations for the Colombian midfielder have dragged for more than a month despite a verbal agreement.

A striker is viewed as an even more urgent need. The club are working on multiple fronts for the Brasileirão’s second half and upcoming knockout ties.

Carlos Cuesta and Robert Renan start at centre-back, with Lucas Freitas and Alan Saldivia in reserve. The Uruguayan has faced fan criticism and turned down enquiries from Argentina, choosing to stay and compete.

Source: Globo.com