There has been a breakthrough in negotiations, and it now appears that 18-year-old wonderkid Vitor Roque will join Barcelona.
The Athletico Paranaense striker has been targeted by a number of European giants, but Barcelona have won the race and managed to negotiate a deal.
There were question marks about whether Barcelona’s financial situation will have allowed them to make such a big transfer, but the Blaugrana have seemingly landed a main target, and Roque will join in January 2024.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the news, with the Brazilian finally set to arrive at the Camp Nou.
“Vitor Roque to Barcelona, here we go! Brazilian gem born in 2005 will play for Barça. Understand documents are also done! Agreement fixed as Barça and Athletico Paranaense are checking all contracts. Current plan is for Vitor to join Barça in January 2024,” he tweeted.
What is Barcelona’s plan for Vitor Roque?
The attacker may be seen as the next Neymar by the club, who anticipate that Roque will develop into one of the deadliest attackers in the World, as one of Brazil’s finest talents.
He could quickly progress to become the successor to veteran striker Robert Lewandowski at the club, and the teenager has scored 15 goals in 29 games this season.
With Real Madrid securing the big-money capture of Endrick, who is set to arrive in Spain next summer, Barcelona may have wanted to secure some of the other generational-level talents currently coming out of South America, and were prepared to pay a premium for Roque.
Barcelona are also seeking a midfielder, and spending on Roque during the club’s financial crisis may raise some eyebrows, but if they are able to secure a replacement for Sergio Busquets as well as the forward, they may consider this transfer window a victory.