In a surprising turn of events, young talent Vitor Roque is reportedly willing to reject offers from Arsenal and Chelsea in favor of a move to Barcelona during the upcoming summer transfer window. As per Spanish outlet SPORT, the 18-year-old striker has his sights firmly set on joining the Catalan giants, making him their priority target.
Since his arrival at Athletico Paranaense from Cruzeiro in April 2022, Vitor Roque has made a name for himself in the football world. While he didn’t initially catch the attention during his early years, the Brazilian prodigy has made significant strides in the past 15 months, even earning his debut for the Selecao earlier this year.
Having started the 2023 season strongly, with ten goals and five assists in 25 appearances, Vitor Roque’s remarkable progress has garnered interest from several top clubs. Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea are among the suitors vying for his signature this summer.
Barcelona, in particular, view the young sensation as their primary target for the upcoming transfer window. Despite signing Robert Lewandowski just last year, the Polish striker is well into his thirties. Therefore, securing a talented teenager like Vitor Roque, who can learn from Lewandowski before eventually succeeding him, appears to be a logical choice. Furthermore, the player himself is eager to join Barcelona.
However, reports suggest that Vitor Roque has made up his mind about joining Barcelona and is willing to reject offers from Arsenal and Chelsea. The two Premier League clubs are engaged in a battle to outdo each other and Barcelona in their pursuit of the Brazilian international, given his immense potential.
Arsenal sees Vitor Roque as a long-term upgrade over Gabriel Jesus, given his impressive ceiling, while Chelsea views him as the solution to their prolonged search for a striker. Unfortunately for both English clubs, their efforts to secure his services this summer seem to be in vain.
It’s worth noting that Barcelona’s dire financial situation complicates their pursuit of Vitor Roque. The club is currently unable to afford the young talent, raising questions about their ability to gather the necessary funds to beat Arsenal and Chelsea to his signing. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Barcelona can fulfill their desire to secure their top target ahead of their Premier League rivals.
