Vasco eye Arboleda and Wallace to strengthen squad | OneFootball

The mid-year transfer window, scheduled to open on July 20 and run through September 11, is already stirring things up behind the scenes at Vasco. In response to a direct request from head coach Renato Gaúcho, who identified the need for three to four signings capable of stepping straight into the starting lineup, the board has begun making its first moves in the transfer market.

Two high-profile names currently in disputes with their clubs have gained momentum in recent hours. Center-back Robert Arboleda of São Paulo and defensive midfielder Walace of Cruzeiro are seen as excellent market opportunities.

Walace has been sidelined by the Minas Gerais club due to internal issues and has the major advantage of having already worked with Vasco’s current manager during their time at Grêmio.

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Arboleda’s situation at São Paulo could prevent a move to Vasco

Vasco’s interest in the Ecuadorian defender is nothing new, but it has intensified again due to a serious off-field controversy in São Paulo. The player failed to report for an official Brazilian Championship match and was spotted just days later watching a local second-division game directly from Ecuador. His complete silence was deemed unjustifiable by São Paulo’s football department.

In light of his disappearance, São Paulo’s leadership plans to take the case to Fifa to request the unilateral termination of his contract for just cause and seek the termination penalty, which stands at around R$300 million for domestic-market transfers. Any club that signs the center-back could end up becoming jointly liable in this complex legal process, requiring caution and extensive analysis from Vasco’s management before making a new financial move for the veteran.

Who is Arboleda?

Born in Ecuador, Robert Arboleda is a 34-year-old right-footed center-back widely recognized for his physical presence, recovery speed, and excellence in aerial play. The defender built a long and successful career in Brazilian football wearing the São Paulo shirt, a club he has represented continuously since the 2017 season.

During his long spell at Morumbi, the Ecuadorian became one of the squad’s main leaders and won major titles such as the Campeonato Paulista (2021), the Copa do Brasil (2023), and the Supercopa do Brasil (2024), while also being regularly called up to his national team for World Cup qualifiers and Copa América tournaments. Despite his winning résumé and strong standing with São Paulo fans, the player is going through a period of strain with the club’s board due to recent disciplinary issues.

Who is Walace?

Walace Souza Silva is a 31-year-old defensive midfielder known for his strong marking, tall frame (1.88m), and quality in building play from the back. Developed through the youth ranks at Grêmio, he rose to national prominence under coach Renato Gaúcho, playing a key role in the club’s 2016 Copa do Brasil title win. His success in southern Brazil earned him notable call-ups to the Brazil national team, culminating in the country’s historic first Olympic gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games, also in 2016.

After standing out in Brazil, Walace built a solid and respected career in Europe, with spells at Hamburg and Hannover in Germany, in addition to playing for Italy’s Udinese for five straight seasons. He recently returned to Brazil to wear the Cruzeiro shirt, but he is dealing with internal problems and disagreements that could cut short his stay in Belo Horizonte.

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