(Author: Barkha Roy)
According to reports, Arsenal are ready to compete with Barcelona for the Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque. The 18-year-old Athletico Paranaense striker has 14 goals in 40 games.
Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said: “He will become one of the greatest players we have ahead of us”. Roque made his first international appearance for Brazil this month, coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Morocco on Saturday.
According to Sport, Barcelona will face competition from the young Arsenal and Chelsea star. The Catalans were considered the favorites, with the striker admitting that they are his dream club.
However, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that the player is not ignoring Premier League clubs and that his father was recently in London. Any competition for your subscription could increase its price.
Due to the club’s financial constraints, his representatives have shifted their focus away from Barcelona. Barcelona didn’t manage to sign any new players in January and, as things currently stand, they won’t be able to invest during the summer transfer window either. This should make it much easier for Arsenal to reach a transfer agreement.
Arsenal are also interested in former Manchester City defender Garcia. They were interested in signing him from Barcelona during the January transfer window, but the 22-year-old turned them down.
Garcia may consider leaving the Camp Nou following reports that Barcelona have agreed to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez on a free transfer this summer.
Roque, on the other hand, only joined Athletico Panaraense in April for £3.7 million from Cruzeiro. If the transfer is approved, Roque will join Martinelli and Marquinhos, who joined the north London club in 2019 and 2022 respectively. Edu Gaspar, Arsenal’s sporting director, has been in contact with the teenager for months.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Arsenal will travel to Liverpool on April 9 to face the Reds.