Vitor Roque is reportedly on the verge of joining Barcelona, with the Blaugrana agreeing to a deal worth €40 million for the 18-year-old.
According to Javi Miguel of AS, Vitor Roque will soon be a Barcelona player. The Catalan giants have agreed to a deal worth €40 million with Athletico Paranaense. And the 18-year-old will sign a five-year contract when he arrives in Catalonia.
Vitor Roque is one of the most highly-rated prospects in his homeland, with his stock rising since moving to Athletico Paranaense. The Brazilian international has also made his debut for the Selecao, earning his bow earlier this year despite still being in his teens. At the same time, he has gone from strength to strength at the club level.
The 18-year-old has started the 2023 season strongly, scoring several crucial goals. He has found the back of the net ten times while providing five assists in 25 appearances thus far. But Vitor Roque’s stint with Athletico Paranaense will end in the summer transfer window. And the teenage prodigy’s next destination will be Barcelona.
Vitor Roque’s name has been on Barcelona’s radar for a long time. And the youngster has been so keen on joining the Blaugrana that he has been willing to block offers from other heavyweight clubs. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s interest in the teenage sensation is hardly surprising, even though they signed Robert Lewandowski last summer.
FC Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign 18-year old Brazilian star Vitor Roque for $43 million, according to @diarioas. 💪
He already has 22 professional goals and has been LIGHTING UP the Brasileiro this season. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/yyZV9RJAU9
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 13, 2023
The Polish striker has been a top-class signing for Barcelona. But he is well into his thirties and approaching the final phase of his glittering career. So it behoves Barcelona to lay down a succession plan for Lewandowski. Vitor Roque thus emerged as a viable target for the Catalan club. But their financial issues had been hampering the move for some time.
Recent reports claimed that Barcelona might not be able to afford to sign the 18-year-old. But they have agreed to a deal worth €40 million to secure his services in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the young striker will sign a five-year contract when he moves to Catalonia.
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Securing Vitor Roque’s services bodes well for Barcelona’s future, especially if he continues on his upward trajectory. The 18-year-old Brazilian sensation can learn the ropes from Lewandowski before succeeding him as the first-choice centre-forward.
