Vasco respond to rival bid, close in on signing Cláudio Spinelli | OneFootball

Vasco gave a show of strength in the transfer market in recent hours to avoid losing one of its main targets for the 2026 season. The club’s board acted aggressively behind the scenes after learning of a rival bid and moved forward with the signing of striker Cláudio Spinelli from Independiente del Valle. With a new financial offer on the table, the deal advanced significantly and, according to sources close to the operation, is 85% done, with only bureaucratic details remaining before the official announcement.

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Vasco enters the race and increases offer for Spinelli

The negotiation took on the air of a fierce dispute when another Brazilian club (whose name was not revealed) made an official offer of US$ 2.2 million (about R$ 11.5 million) for the Argentine striker. Upon learning they might be outbid in the market, Vasco’s top management reacted immediately.

The São Januário club sent a higher counteroffer, set at US$ 2.5 million (approximately R$ 13 million at the current exchange rate). In addition to surpassing the purchase price for the economic rights from Independiente del Valle, Vasco also offered a more attractive salary package to the player, securing preference in the deal and blocking the competitor’s move.

Player already wanted Vasco and accepted the new offer

A crucial factor for the positive outcome was Cláudio Spinelli’s desire. Since the initial approaches, the Argentine expressed his wish to play at São Januário and wear the Vasco shirt. The striker even formally asked Del Valle’s management to be transferred to Vasco.

With the new financial offer reaching the level demanded by the Ecuadorians and the salary pleasing the player’s staff, the “yes” was immediate. Both the original club and the player accepted the terms, clearing the way for the contract to be signed.

Spinelli’s signing is close – Photo: Reproduction

Spinelli arrives as a replacement for Vegetti in the squad

Spinelli’s arrival is part of a strategic plan to fill the gap left by the departure of idol Pablo Vegetti. Fernando Diniz’s coaching staff assessed the market in search of a specific profile: a center forward who knows how to score goals but also has the technical quality to participate in build-up play.

The internal assessment is that Spinelli has better ball skills than Vegetti, a fundamental characteristic for “Dinizismo.” The coach prioritizes mobile strikers who leave the box to combine and create space, and the Argentine from Del Valle fits perfectly into this playing philosophy, promising to be a key piece in the offensive system.

Brenner and Marino Hinestroza complete offensive replacements

The overhaul of Vasco’s attack for 2026 was deep and calculated. While Spinelli arrives to fill the reference spot left by Vegetti, the club also moved to replace the sale of the young talent Rayan, who was transferred to English football.

For this role, Vasco brought in Brenner and Marino Hinestroza. The duo arrives to provide depth and speed options to the squad. With these three players (Spinelli, Brenner, and Marino), the board believes the cycle of offensive replacements is complete, delivering to Diniz a renewed, young attack with complementary characteristics for the Brasileirão and Copa do Brasil campaigns.

Marino and Brenner will be essential in this new Vasco – Photos: Matheus Lima / Vasco

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