Vasco step up move for Patrik Mercado, striker becomes key in negotiations | OneFootball

Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama has made considerable progress in negotiations to sign midfielder Patrik Mercado. The 22-year-old player belongs to Independiente del Valle and has become the main target for the Vasco board in this transfer window. The profile NTVASCAÍNOS released the initial details about the official interest from the Rio de Janeiro club. Negotiations are moving quickly behind the scenes and have taken on a positive tone in recent hours.

The presence of forward Claudio Spinelli in the Vasco squad has become a key factor in advancing the talks. The current number 77 played alongside the Ecuadorian at their formative club and has taken on the role of direct intermediary in the contact. The striker acted as a friendly bridge to convince his former teammate to accept the challenge of playing in the demanding Brazilian league.

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The player wants to play for Vasco

Interest in the midfielder has attracted other Brazilian clubs such as Coritiba and Botafogo. The team from Paraná has a strong contractual priority in the negotiation due to the partnership established between its Sociedade Anônima do Futebol and the Ecuadorian club. The owner of Independiente del Valle received official notification about his promising athlete’s preferred destination. The agent Michel Deller heard the decisive words directly from the player:

The player’s firm choice forces the Vasco board to act quickly in the transfer market. Executives Admar Lopes and Carlos Amodeo are working intensely on a complex financial arrangement to make the permanent purchase of the economic rights possible.

They believe that the midfielder will strengthen the squad and offer excellent tactical alternatives to Vasco’s coach during the grueling season. The football department remains focused on building a competitive and highly technical group.

Spinelli and Patrik Mercado when they played together at Independiente del Valle – Photo: IMAGO / Camilla Roubada

Who is midfielder Patrik Mercado?

Vasco’s target was born in the city of Tena, Ecuador, and began his sporting career in the youth ranks of Del Valle. The youngster won important continental titles such as the Copa Sudamericana and the Recopa Sudamericana wearing the number seven shirt. He gained international attention in Brazil precisely by scoring two goals against Vasco in a 4-0 rout last season. His talent caught the eye of scouts and coaches around the world.

The player operates centrally in midfield and performs both as a defensive midfielder and an attacking playmaker with great ease. His accuracy in long passes and excellent shooting from outside the box earned him his first ever call-up to the Ecuador National Team. The young player made his debut for the national team last year and has played three official matches under the current coach.

This season, he has already played in 48 matches and started in 38 of them. This is already the best season of his career, with seven goals and 11 assists in 3,172 minutes on the pitch.

Watch highlights of Patrik Mercado:

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