Vasco target: who is José Martínez, ex-Corinthians free agent | OneFootball

The transfer market remains busy for the Vasco board. According to information reported by journalist Bruno Andrade through the “Fala a Fonte” segment on ESPN Brasil, the Rio club has shown official interest in signing defensive midfielder José Martínez. The Venezuelan player is currently a free agent after amicably terminating his contract with Corinthians at the end of February.

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Who is José Martínez?

José Andrés Martínez Torres, popularly known in his country as “El Brujo,” is a 31-year-old defensive midfielder with strong marking ability and physical intensity. Born in Venezuela, the player began his professional career at local clubs such as Deportivo JBL and Zulia, but gained major international recognition and visibility while playing in the United States in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Between 2020 and 2024, Martínez wore the Philadelphia Union shirt, where he became one of the league’s standout midfielders and a regular starter for his national team. His strong performances caught the attention of the São Paulo club, which signed him in August 2024. For the team from Parque São Jorge, the player made 70 appearances, but ended up clashing with the board at the start of 2026 after delaying his return due to problems with the issuance of his passport, which led to the early termination of his deal.

The Venezuelan stood out in the 2025 Copa do Brasil final against Vasco – Photo: Alexandre Loureiro/AGIF

Knee injury and competition could influence Vasco’s board

Despite being completely free of contractual ties, José Martínez’s arrival would require patience. The player is recovering from complex surgery on his left knee and will only be fully fit to return to professional action toward the end of the year. Even while injured, the midfielder is eager to decide on his new team as soon as possible so he can begin his rigorous physical transition process using the facilities of his future club.

Vasco, however, is not alone in this race. According to further reports in the press, the midfielder has already been approached by two other MLS franchises looking to bring the ball-winner back to North America. The administrative leadership at São Januário is carefully assessing the medical conditions and terms of the deal to decide whether it will move forward with a definitive offer for the player.

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