Vasco starlet catches Seleção’s eye, club fights to keep him | OneFootball

The forward Rayan, one of Vasco’s main standouts in recent seasons, has caught the attention of the Brazilian National Team and is part of the club’s strategic plan through the end of the 2026 season. The Vasco board is working to keep the player at São Januário, even amid growing interest from the European market.

Internally, the consensus is that Rayan’s continued presence is fundamental to the sports project led by Fernando Diniz, in addition to representing a strategic asset both on and off the field.

Vasco wants to keep Rayan and expects his value to increase

Vasco’s goal is to keep Rayan at least until the end of 2026. This plan is shared with the player himself, who views positively the possibility of building a more solid career in Brazilian football before an international transfer.

The club believes that a more consistent stint in Brazil could have a positive impact on the player’s sporting development and the next step in his career. Rayan’s staff shares this view and prioritizes a potential move only to a top-tier European club, avoiding negotiations considered premature.

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Rayan training with Vasco at CT Moacyr Barbosa — Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

Forward is being watched by Carlo Ancelotti

Rayan is also highly rated by Carlo Ancelotti, coach of the Brazilian National Team. Behind the scenes, there is an expectation that the forward could be called up in the next FIFA window, a scenario that would further increase his visibility in the international market.

Both the club and his staff believe the player has the potential to increase his value even more throughout the season, both athletically and financially.

Contract renewal, high release clause, and market protection

In December, Vasco and Rayan’s staff reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract until December 2028, with a significant salary increase. The release clause is now set at 80 million euros — about R$ 500 million — which gives the club security to negotiate only under conditions it deems ideal.

Despite this, the board recognizes it will be difficult to keep the forward for an entire season, but sees the most likely scenario as his staying at least until the next semester, while maintaining the desire to keep him until the end of 2026.

A departure in this transfer window is considered unlikely, although it is not ruled out if an offer considered irresistible for all parties is made.

Fernando Diniz sees Rayan as a pillar of the project

Voted Vasco’s best player in 2025, Rayan reported back this Tuesday at CT Moacyr Barbosa and remains a central figure in coach Fernando Diniz’s plans.

After the 2025 Copa do Brasil final, the coach publicly reinforced the importance of the forward to the project:

The coach also emphasized that, if he could personally advise the player, he would suggest staying at the club longer to consolidate his playing style and professional maturity.

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Diniz training with Vasco at CT Moacyr Barbosa — Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

Rejected offers and European interest

In December, Vasco turned down an offer from Zenit, of Russia, worth 31 million euros (about R$ 200 million). At the time, the board made a counteroffer asking for 50 million euros (approximately R$ 327 million).

The Russian club remains one of the main parties interested in Rayan, but Vasco maintains the stance of only negotiating for a price it considers fair. With the high release clause, the club feels protected against unexpected approaches in the market.

Additionally, the percentage of the forward’s economic rights belonging to Vasco may vary depending on the sale value, which reinforces the strategy of waiting for a more advantageous deal in the future.

Salary increase and leading role

With the renewal, Rayan is now among the highest-paid players on the squad, in line with his sporting prominence and importance in the club’s marketing plans. The contract also includes performance bonuses, including a possible call-up to the Brazilian National Team.

Despite constant interest, the player’s attitude remains aligned with the club. Behind the scenes, the consensus is that Rayan’s focus is entirely on Vasco da Gama.

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