Vasco ‘to consider’ Danilo Barbosa as back-up option in defence amid Diego Carlos, Gabriel Pereira chase | OneFootball

Vasco are assessing Danilo Barbosa as a potential centre-back signing, but only as a back-up if other targets fail. ge reports that Diego Carlos and Gabriel Pereira remain the club’s leading defensive priorities.

Despite being viewed as a secondary option, the 30-year-old is keen on a return to Vasco. Behind the scenes, there is a sense a deal would already be done if it depended only on him, though the hierarchy intend to exhaust moves for primary targets before opening talks.

Strengthening the back line is a priority for the remainder of the 2026 season. The coaching staff want leadership and physicality, qualities aligned with their top targets, to provide tactical solidity during the Brasileiro and Copa Sul-Americana.

Danilo’s versatility, operating as a midfielder or as an emergency centre-back, is considered useful depth if required. A Vasco academy graduate with European experience, he is well placed to adapt quickly, and the board are monitoring the market to judge when to act.

Promoted in 2014, he soon moved to Europe, featuring for Braga and Benfica in Portugal, Valencia in Spain, Standard Liège in Belgium and Nice in France. Back in Brazil, he joined Palmeiras in 2021 and was part of their Copa Libertadores-winning squad, then signed for Botafogo, winning titles and establishing himself as a versatile defensive option. He views a possible return to Vasco positively.

Source: PaponaColina

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”