Fabrizio Romano has revealed that a number of Europe’s top clubs are interested in Athletico Paranaense’s exciting young forward Vitor Roque. The Brazilian “wonderkid” is attracting interest from the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal after impressing at the Under-20 South American Championships where the forward managed six goals in eight appearances for Brazil. The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in South America.
Multiple European Clubs Prepare for Battle Over Brazilian ‘Wonderkid’ Vitor Roque
🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨
Arsenal have sent their scouts to watch Vitor Roque 🔴
Barcelona also have him on their list 🇪🇸
Five top European clubs have sent scouts to watch the Brazilian 🇧🇷
Full story 👇👇
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) February 16, 2023
Vitor Roque’s Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Roque began his footballing journey at América Mineiro’s youth setup when he was only ten years old. After impressing in the side’s youth categories in 2018, he signed a youth contract with Cruzeiro in March 2019. In May 2021, the youngster signed his first professional contract with Cruzeiro and made his professional debut in October of the same year.
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However, his real breakthrough came when he signed a five-year contract with Athletico Paranaense in April 2022. He became the Furacão’s record transfer after the club activated his £4 million release clause. Since then, the forward has been a regular in the team and has made 36 appearances for the club, racking up seven goals and three assists in the process. Roque’s impressive club form has also earned him international recognition, as he has made 11 appearances for the Brazilian U20 team, contributing eight goals to their cause.
Interest From European Giants
It’s no surprise that Roque’s excellent form has caught the attention of top European clubs. Arsenal has reportedly sent scouts to watch the young striker, and according to reports, Barcelona have had an offer turned down for the 17-year-old. In addition to this, Romano also reports that five other top European clubs are also monitoring his development.
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The Blaugrana have shown a particular appreciation for the youngster’s talents, with the Spanish club adding him to their list of potential targets. The Catalan giants have a history of signing Brazilian talent, including Ronaldinho, Neymar, and more recently, Raphinha. The Gunners will also be looking to add him to their growing list of Brazilian players at the club.
The Financial Hurdle
The club based out of Curitiba is reportedly looking to receive around £53m for the Brazilian, making it a difficult deal for any club to pull off. However, with the striker’s exceptional performances and potential, it’s likely that there will be more interest in him in the coming months.
Although a deal will not be easy to complete, it will be interesting to see where Roque ends up in the future and how he develops as a player.
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