July clear-out! Vasco lists priorities after big-money flop signings | OneFootball

Vasco is facing an uncomfortable scenario of internal restructuring after the club’s board publicly acknowledged the below-average performances of the signings made in the first transfer window of the 2026 season. According to exclusive information published by ge this Tuesday (26), the leadership of Vasco’s football department admits that several players have shown severe difficulties adapting tactically and physically to the domestic scene. The team’s poor technical performance in the Brazilian Championship led to a series of heated protests from organized supporter groups, prompting the club’s management to begin preparations for a major intervention in the July market.

Popular dissatisfaction with the squad’s backup options reached its peak at São Januário stadium and at the Rio club’s training center. Last Sunday, Uruguayan center-back Saldivia and striker Brenner were heavily abused from the stands because of crucial individual mistakes made in the defeat to Red Bull Bragantino. When the squad returned to training at CT Moacyr Barbosa, Colombian forward Marino Hinestroza became the main target of the organized supporters, who went to the entrance of the complex to harass the R$ 30 million player.

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Criticism and physical issues

The assessment by Vasco’s Football Department indicates that the coaching staff managed the integration of the foreign players into the starting lineup too hastily. The case of Marino Hinestroza is seen as the main example of a methodological mistake, since the Colombian winger arrived in Rio de Janeiro out of shape and struggled with coach Fernando Diniz’s working model. The player took the field before the deadline set by the Medical Department, skipping stages of physical preparation and ending up with zero goal contributions after 18 official matches.

A similar scenario of political wear and tear is being faced by striker Brenner, who has dealt with loud boos since his debut in the national tournament because of the excessive number of clear chances he has wasted in the box. Executive director Admar Lopes confirmed the atmosphere of internal instability during a press conference, acknowledging that strategic planning suffered from the tactical uncertainty of players coming off a long vacation period. In light of this, Vasco’s board decided that the second transfer window will serve solely to correct the club’s financial and sporting course.

Brenner is dealing with criticism from the fans – Photo: Thiago Ribeiro/AGIF/FolhaPress

Vasco has priorities and is looking for an enforcer

The market mapping carried out by the SAF’s executive committee defined the attacking and defensive sectors as the priority targets for new financial investment in the second half of the year. One of the Rio club’s main wishes is the immediate signing of a left-footed attacker with the technical ability to play on the right side of the attack. Vasco’s tactical assessment committee has also discussed bringing in a natural center-forward to compete directly for the starting spot with Argentine striker Claudio Spinelli.

The back line will also undergo major intervention in the July transfer window because of the constant inconsistency shown by the defensive system. The board has intensified its search for a right-footed center-back with a commanding leadership profile and strong aerial ability, with the aim of increasing direct competition with Saldivia and Carlos Cuesta. Vasco fans hope that the arrival of these new additions will help stabilize the political atmosphere and once and for all move the club away from the dangerous proximity to the bottom places in the Brasileirão table.

Saldivia has been making constant mistakes and is expected to be benched – Photo: Dikran Sahagian/Vasco

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