Babou? Deossa talked into staying, leaving Vasco in a bind | OneFootball

The longest-running saga of Vasco’s transfer window has gained a new chapter — and this time with a very different tone from the optimism of recent days. Journalist Joel Silva revealed that he received information yesterday afternoon that Cruz-Maltino had given up on signing Nelson Deossa. The journalist himself, however, made a point of making it clear that he was unable to confirm the report with sources involved in the negotiations.

Faced with the uncertainty, Joel went to those at the center of the story. After contacting the midfielder’s staff, the journalist heard a response that sheds light on the real impasse: the player does want to wear Vasco’s shirt, but he has been the target of an effort by Real Betis to keep him in Spain.

What Deossa’s staff revealed about the turnaround

According to Joel Silva’s reporting, the Colombian’s camp confirmed that the desire to play for Vasco is still alive. The player sees São Januário as an opportunity to regain the prominence he had in Mexican football, before an underwhelming spell at the Seville club.

The detail that changes the game, however, is on the other side of the Atlantic. The staff reported that Deossa has been receiving constant praise from Betis’ coaching staff and is gradually being convinced to stay at the Spanish club. In other words, what seemed like a deal close to completion is now running into the Europeans’ attempt to reverse the midfielder’s departure.

+ Vasco suffers setback: Venezia rules out negotiating John Yeboah

Betis changes its stance and works to keep the Colombian

The movement has not come out of nowhere. Behind the scenes, coach Manuel Pellegrini had already signaled interest in keeping the player available, even with the advanced negotiations with Vasco. The coaching staff’s push to raise Deossa’s standing within the squad appears to be the missing piece in understanding why the saga has stalled again just as it seemed headed for a conclusion.

The message is clear: while the staff maintains the player’s desire to come to Rio, staying has now come to be treated as a real possibility inside the Spanish dressing room. A tug-of-war that puts Vasco’s board on alert.

Recall the saga that has dragged on for more than a month

Vasco’s interest in Nelson Deossa was formally presented in the third week of June and, since then, it has turned into a true transfer-market saga. The structure outlined provides for a loan until the end of the season, with a purchase option set at 12 million euros (around R$69.6 million) — a clause that may be triggered automatically if the player reaches specific targets in the contract.

Over the past few weeks, the negotiation has gone through different phases. It at one point received the approval of the Spanish club, got the green light from the player himself regarding the salary offer and sporting project, and even drew coverage in the European press as an imminent departure. Joel Silva’s information, however, shows that the deal is far from over — and that Betis has decided to react.

Nelson Deossa’s profile, Vasco’s target

Nelson Deossa

What Vasco still needs to define the situation

With the market still open until September 10, Vasco’s board needs to weigh how far it is worth pushing for a target who remains the top name on the list for midfield. The information that the club had given up has not been confirmed, but it lays bare a scenario of uncertainty that has already lasted for weeks.

On one side, a player who says he wants Vasco. On the other, a Betis side that has changed its tone and started working to keep him. In the middle, the Cruz-Maltino fans following every chapter of a saga that, once again, promises to go down to the wire before a conclusion — whatever that may be.

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