Author: Amrit Santlani
Vitor Roque is reportedly on Manchester United’s radar as they continue their search for a striker.
Manchester United’s search for a striker to take Cristiano Ronaldo’s place could take the Premier League side to Brazil, where Athletico Paranaense wonderkid Vitor Roque has won the Brazilian Serie A.
Although there are some big names on United’s shopping list this summer, with Harry Kane and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen among those being considered, the club has also contacted Roque’s entourage about a deal with an eye on the future.
The 18-year-old plays as a center forward for his current club, but is also known for playing on the wings. He made a name for himself in the youth ranks at América Mineiro, joining the club at the age of 10, then moved to Cruzeiro before Athletico made him their most expensive recruit at £4.7 million.
After impressing with Cruzeiro in the previous Serie B, the teenager won the first division last year, playing 29 games, starting 14 of them and scoring five goals, as well as providing two assists. Roque also played in the state championship, the Campeonato Paranaense, with just 211 minutes in four matches, but he scored three goals and was included in the squad for the 2022 Copa Libertadores Tournament.
After his debut campaign came the climactic moment, he received his first call-up to the Brazilian national team, where the youngster made his international debut coming off the bench during Brazil’s defeat to Morocco in a recent friendly.
Given his meteoric rise, the teenager is already enjoying success in Europe with many top clubs, including Barcelona, eager to secure his services. Roque’s entourage is also aware of the widespread interest and is known for weighing up the pros and cons of each project before making a final call.
Although joining United would mean that the Parana-born star would have to make his debut among the best in the world competing in the Premier League, the Old Trafford hierarchy see him as a future superstar and are therefore keen to secure a move before he becomes a fully-fledged player. In other words, a bidding war.