Vitória and Grêmio end talks over Wagner Leonardo | OneFootball

Vitória and Grêmio have ended talks over Wagner Leonardo after failing to agree how to settle overdue payments from his 2025 move.

According to Globo.com, Vitória president Fábio Mota said discussions would only continue if arrears were cleared, and with Grêmio unwilling to do so, the club plan legal action.

Grêmio signed the centre-back in February 2025 for $4.5 million, about R$26 million at the time.

One $1 million instalment was missed. Grêmio agreed to split it into 10 parts, Vitória sought guarantees, and the arrangement collapsed. Around R$13 million remains unpaid.

Vitória recently tabled an offer to re-sign the defender, but the terms did not satisfy Grêmio. A previous attempt at the start of the year also stalled.

Wagner Leonardo is a reserve at Grêmio with limited minutes. He flourished at Vitória after arriving in 2023, becoming a fixture and captain in the 2023 Série B title and the 2024 Baiano win.

He made 97 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing one assist for Vitória. Relations soured after his departure, and at his unveiling he said he was back at a big club after coming through at Santos, which angered many Vitória fans.

Source: Globo.com