Vasco race to sign Cuiabano as Cruzeiro join chase before two February deadline | OneFootball

Vasco face decisive hours in their push for left-back Cuiabano, with time and new rivals complicating talks confirmed recently by president Pedrinho. According to PaponaColina, the club must strike a deal by Monday, two February, when the English transfer window shuts.

If that deadline passes, Nottingham Forest would be unable to register a replacement or move the player elsewhere in Europe with the same ease.

Forest are owned by Greek magnate Evangelos Marinakis, who also controls Olympiacos and Rio Ave. The group prefer internal loans, keeping assets close. Vasco therefore need a bid that clearly outstrips an in-house option and shows Brazil is the best shop window.

The fiercest threat is domestic. Cruzeiro sold first-choice left-back Kaiki to Como on Thursday for around €10 million plus €2 million in bonuses, about R$75 million in total. With cash in hand, they have targeted Cuiabano and can table a permanent bid or a more aggressive loan fee, while Vasco work on a loan with obligation to buy to protect short-term cash flow.

With few working days left for paperwork and medicals, any hitch could scupper the move. Vasco must be swift and precise or risk losing their top target to Cruzeiro or to a Forest sister club.

Source: PaponaColina