The potential signing of Andrés Cubas by Athletico-PR is already shaking up the market and changing the tone of the club’s search for reinforcements in 2026. The front office has begun early conversations with the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder and, even though nothing is close to done, Cubas is viewed as a priority target at a moment when Athletico has made the addition of three midfielders a top objective. Given the player’s profile and the team’s current situation, it’s fair to say this deal could become one of the most significant moves of the Brazilian club’s window.
Experience and active form this season
Cubas arrives at age 29 in the middle of a heavy run of games. He played 40 matches for the Vancouver Whitecaps this season and contributed two assists. Athletico see him as the type of player they’re looking for, someone with steady minutes and a strong competitive rhythm.
His résumé also helps explain the interest. Developed at Boca Juniors, Cubas went on to play for Pescara, Defensa y Justicia, Talleres and Nîmes before establishing himself in Canada in 2022. That variety of competitive environments often carries weight when Brazilian clubs evaluate players, especially those expected to adapt quickly to different styles of soccer and higher-pressure scenarios.
The national team adds another layer
Beyond what he does for the Whitecaps, Cubas has recent involvement with Paraguay’s national team. He played five matches in the World Cup Qualifiers and also appeared in a friendly this year.
Athletico have been open about their need to strengthen the midfield with depth and quality. Cubas fits that search because he brings traits the club considers essential: experience, consistency and participation in meaningful competitions. None of this guarantees the deal will move forward, especially since talks are still in the early stages, as confirmed by ge, but it does clarify why his name surfaced so quickly.
And according to Transfermarkt, Cubas is valued at €4 million. With his contract set to expire at the end of next season, the move could generate a solid financial return for the Whitecaps, while potentially giving the Brazilian club a midfielder ready to raise the level of the position right away.