- 15 hours ago
Vitor Roque chooses new club and BLOCKS all other offers
Stuart Telford
- 17 Mar 2023 19:02 GMT
- 3 min read
Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque has been linked with Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and others, but only one of them has any chance of securing his signature.
Vitor Roque has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in Brazilian football, his 17 goals and five assists in senior football coming in at a rate of one every 129 minutes he has played despite his tender 18 years.
The Athletico Paranaense forward has been scouted by a host of top European clubs, with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal also credited with an interest, but the player himself only has eyes for Barca.
READ: Who is Vitor Roque? The Brazilian wonderkid wanted by Arsenal and Barcelona
Vitor Roque 'convinced' of Barcelona
"The Brazilian No.9 us convinced he will end up wearing the Blaugrana colours and for this reason his agents and advisors will block all other offers," reports Sport's Joaquim Piera.
"Without counting on Vitor Roque's cooperation, Barca wouldn't consider signing the player, who was a revelation at the most recent Copa Libertadores."
Vitor Roque is the top scorer at the South American U20 Championship with six goals in five games.
What European club will sign him? pic.twitter.com/Z6awnPlmJa— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) February 4, 2023
READ: Asensio in, Raphina out? How Barcelona could line up next season
Roque will have to push hard for a move to Barca, and be patient.
The club have been told to reduce their debt by €200 million this summer to have any hope of taking part in next season's La Liga, let alone sign new players.
The Blaugrana are understood to be determined to improve their squad, but they are currently restricted to free transfers like Marco Asensio or Ilkay Gundogan, or potential loan signings like the latter's Manchester City teammate Joao Cancelo.
Whether Barca should prioritise a No.9 given they spent €50m on Robert Lewandowski last summer is up for debate, although the Brazilian has 16 years on the Pole and has previously said he would love to learn from him.
"Yes of course," he said when asked about it by Sport last month. "If I had a footballer of this level by my side I'd try to learn as much as I could. If it end up happening it'll be important for my career; something wonderful."
