According to GOAL, Newcastle have enquired about a potential summer move for Athletico Paranaense star Vitor Roque.
The report claims that Barcelona have also shown strong interest in the 17-year-old sensation, with Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG all keeping tabs on the versatile forward who can operate up top or out wide.
Not only has Roque bagged seven goals and three assists in his first full season in Série A, he’s just helpe his country win the South American Sub-20 Championship, scoring an impressive six goals in eight appearances.
Barcelona are believed to be the favourites to land the South American this summer, but it seems he is the latest Brazilian on our radar after a host of January bids for Flamengo’s Matheus Franca were knocked back.
Speaking about recent interest, the player’s agent Andre Cury confirmed an offer of around 25m euros was ‘immediately rejected’ in January after interest from clubs in England, Spain and Italy:
“We have already had offers, but they were refused. There was an English club, a Spanish club, and an Italian one. We got more or less an offer of 25 million euros. We immediately rejected it, because I believe that the player has a higher value than that.
“The time (to leave) is when the right club arrives. One which has a great project, reaches the price tag, and everyone leaves this negotiation satisfied.
“(Roque is) demonstrating all the physical, mental and technical characteristics to play for a big club in Europe. The big ‘number nines’ in Europe are of advancing ages, like Benzema, Cavani, and Lewandowski. They will open that gap for these players.
“Vitor Roque is going to have a great future in Europe. Mainly because of his hard work and strong mentality.”
