Vasco ‘rejected’ AEK Athens bid for Barros, view midfielder as key for 2026 | OneFootball

According to Jogada10, Vasco rejected an official AEK Athens bid for Barros, viewing the midfielder as central to their 2026 plans.

The club have adopted a hard line in Europe to protect their talents and keep the team’s spine intact. AEK are leaders of the Greek league and the proposal was considered below the player’s potential.

It is not Barros’s first look from Europe, which has set off alarms at São Januário. Torino had a €5 million offer turned down, and Galatasaray of Türkiye have made enquiries. The 21-year-old is tied to a contract until December 2027.

A €50 million release clause, around R$ 314 million, underpins Vasco’s stance and keeps control in their hands. The understanding inside the club is that selling below the clause now would be a strategic mistake, with his value expected to rise if he remains a starter in 2026.

A youth product, Barros stepped up in 2023 before loans to Amazonas, 27 games and two goals, and América-MG, 28 games and five goals. He returned mid last year at Fernando Diniz’s request.

Since then he has nailed down a starting place and added defensive balance. Alongside Robert Renan and Carlos Cuesta, he helped an unbeaten run of more than 10 games in the second half of 2025. He has played 24 times and scored once since his return, serving as the shield for the back line with tidy distribution.

Source: PaponaColina