Vasco ‘to prepare’ up to €4m bid for Cagliari defender Zé Pedro | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama are preparing a €3m-€4m offer for Cagliari centre-back Zé Pedro, according to PaponaColina.

The move comes amid interest from Atlético-MG, with the Rio club aiming to act quickly and with higher terms to secure the 28-year-old. The deal is viewed internally as a market opportunity, as the defender could leave the Italian side only months after arriving.

Vasco’s entry could shift negotiations. While Atlético-MG have so far only monitored the situation, an official proposal near €4m, about R$ 18m to R$ 24m, would put the Cruz-Maltino in a stronger position. The club believe his European experience could stabilise a back line that faltered on the Brasileirão’s opening weekend.

José Pedro da Silva Figueiredo Freitas, known as Zé Pedro, is right-footed, 1.87m tall and a Vitória de Guimarães academy product. He built his career in Portugal with Vizela, Braga B and Estrela da Amadora before joining Porto in 2021.

He initially stood out as captain of Porto B, then earned first-team opportunities and featured in the Champions League. He signed for Cagliari in the European summer of 2025.

This Serie A season he has alternated between starting and the bench, with around 10 appearances. Physicality, strong aerial positioning and the ability to operate as a right-sided defender in a back three are seen as key traits, fitting what Fernando Diniz wants.

Source: PaponaColina