Vasco is negotiating for John Mercado, a 24-year-old Ecuadorian winger from Sparta Praga, and has submitted an initial offer of approximately 7 million euros. The Czech club has not yet opened talks, but Vasco's persistence is partly due to the player's expressed desire to join the club. Admar Lopes is scheduled to resume direct talks with the Czech club's directors this week, and Mercado is under contract until June 2029.