Atletico Madrid will reportedly provide stiff competition to Barcelona and Real Madrid for 17-year-old Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Vitor Roque has popped up on the radar of Atletico Madrid. The Colchoneros will compete with fellow Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid for the signature of the 17-year-old Athletico Paranaense prodigy.
Vitor Roque is the latest Brazilian teenage sensation to rise to prominence in his homeland. The young striker joined Athletico Paranaense from Cruzeiro earlier this year, and his stock has skyrocketed since then. And he has enjoyed a superb 2022 season, particularly for his new club.
The 17-year-old has a solid tally of seven goals and three assists in 36 appearances. That might not seem like a particularly impressive record, but one must note that he is only 17 years old. And Vitor Roque has captured the attention of several European bigwigs with his performances, including Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid will look to undergo a squad overhaul in the 2023 summer transfer window, with the ongoing campaign being disastrous. Diego Simeone needs his team to press the reset button, and a few players might leave. One of the leading candidates is Joao Felix, who has emerged as a target for PSG and Manchester United. Vitor Roque is thus a viable target for Atletico Madrid.
As for Barcelona, the Blaugrana will look to lay down a succession plan for Robert Lewandowski despite signing him this year. The veteran Polish striker is well into his thirties, prompting the Catalan outfit to be ready for his eventual retirement. So the 17-year-old Brazilian prodigy is an attractive option for Barcelona as he can learn the ropes from Lewandowski before taking over from the Pole.
Meanwhile, Vitor Roque has been on Real Madrid’s radar for much of the year. The Merengues are a club renowned for foraying into the Brazilian market for the brightest young prospects. And the 17-year-old Athletico Paranaense striker could be an option to succeed Karim Benzema.
Atletico Madrid’s entry into the equation spices things up. And it will be interesting to see if Vitor Roque moves to Europe after turning 18 in February. Barcelona and Real Madrid will give Los Rojiblancos a run for their money.
