Shanghai Port FC has reportedly found a gem in the transfer market, with multiple Brazilian media outlets claiming that the former Brazil Olympic team's No. 10 star and current Cruzeiro midfielder, the 26-year-old Vital, is set to join the Chinese league. Given his versatility as an attacking midfielder and winger, many fans speculate that he will be joining Shanghai Port, who recently lost their players Balagas and Oscar.
The 26-year-old Vital is a prodigious talent who rose to fame at a young age. As early as 2019, he represented the Brazil Olympic team in various competitions and led them to victory in the Toulon Cup while wearing the No. 10 jersey. During that tournament, Vital scored two goals in four appearances, finding the net against France and Qatar. His impressive performance at the Toulon Cup even caught the attention of Italian Serie A club Roma, although the two sides ultimately did not come to an agreement.
Vital has played for two teams in Brazil, currently representing Cruzeiro, and previously playing for the prestigious Corinthians. During his time at Corinthians, Vital was loaned to Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos. However, his stint in the Greek league was average, scoring only three goals and providing three assists in a single season, which ultimately did not secure him a permanent spot in European football.
After returning to Brazil, Vital officially joined Cruzeiro in the 2023 season. Over the past two seasons, he has played in 77 matches for Cruzeiro, scoring three goals and contributing three assists. Injuries have affected his consistency, and he is not an absolute starter for Cruzeiro. With only one year left on his contract, Cruzeiro hopes to cash in on him during the winter transfer window.
Despite his high footballing talent and having worn the No. 10 jersey for the Brazil Olympic team, Vital's professional career over the past few years has not been particularly illustrious. As an attacking midfielder, his statistics are not particularly impressive. Consequently, his market value is not high, listed at only 2.5 million euros on Transfermarkt. Brazilian media reports suggest that Cruzeiro hopes to receive nearly 2 million reais (approximately $300,000) in compensation for Vital.
Cruzeiro had previously tried to sell Vital to Mexican league club Necaxa, but the deal fell through as the Mexican side wanted to pay the $300,000 transfer fee over two years. Now aware that Vital is not in high demand in the transfer market, Cruzeiro is looking to sell him to the Chinese league at the same price.
If the offer from China is indeed from Shanghai Port, it would be a real coup for the club. They lost Oscar and Balagas in the winter window and urgently need to bring in a foreign midfielder. Although Vital's development in Brazil over the past few years has not been smooth, he was once a promising star, and his footballing talent is undeniable. If Shanghai Port can sign him for $300,000, it would be an excellent transfer deal.
