Serie A giants Lazio have reportedly joined the race to sign 19-year-old disgruntled Barcelona wonderkid Vitor Roque in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Vitor Roque is the subject of interest from Lazio. The Serie A giants have been scouring the market for a versatile attacker heading into the summer transfer window. And the 19-year-old disgruntled Barcelona wonderkid has emerged as a target for the Biancocelesti.
Vitor Roque and his Barcelona bitterness
Vitor Roque would have hoped to become the long-term striker solution for Barcelona when he arrived from Athletico Paranaense earlier this year and completed his dream move. The player and his agent had proclaimed their excitement about joining the Blaugrana after a protracted move for his services.
However, after joining Barcelona in January, the dream move became a nightmare as he struggled for game time. The 19-year-old has managed only 353 minutes of action across 16 appearances thus far for Barcelona, chipping in with two goals. The lack of participation also cost Vitor Roque’s spot in the Brazilian national squad for the 2024 Copa America.
The crux of Vitor Roque’s frustration stems from the lack of game time, even after Barcelona did not have anything to play for in the final weeks of the 2023/24 season. So, it is hardly surprising that the Brazilian wonderkid faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club in the summer transfer window, with Lazio becoming the latest club to show interest in him.
Will the disgruntled wonderkid join Lazio?
Lazio’s interest in Vitor Roque is understandable. The Serie A giants have been keen on signing a versatile attacker in the summer transfer window amid the advancing age of Ciro Immobile. Mason Greenwood had thus emerged as the top target for Lazio before Marseille hijacked the move.
So, the Serie A giants have returned to the market for a versatile attacker, with Vitor Roque’s name featuring on their wishlist. However, the Biancocelesti will face stiff competition for the services of the 19-year-old Barcelona wonderkid, with fellow Serie A club Napoli among his other prospective suitors.
So, the Brazilian attacking sensation will have several options to consider before making his final decision. It will be interesting to see where the disgruntled Barcelona whizkid plies his trade in the 2024/25 season.