“Yes, of course,” said Brazilian top talent Vitor Roque of Club Athletico Paranaense in March when asked if he felt ready to make the move to Europe. Now this seems imminent, because as transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and the Catalan newspaper “Sport” report, the 18-year-old striker is moving to FC Barcelona. However, it is unclear when exactly.
Because Barça has to budget in terms of personnel costs in order to comply with the financial fair play rules in Spain, the transfer will in all likelihood only take place during the transition phase next winter. According to “Sport”, a commitment by Vitor Roque this summer would depend on departures on the offensive. The paper has put forward Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Raphinha as candidates for sale, all of whom are under contract until 2027 and should therefore not be available cheaply.
Nor would Vitor Roque, one of the hottest stocks in his country, be a bargain. With a market value of 18 million euros, the one-time national player is one of the most valuable professionals in Brazil, his club Paranaense is said to be worth up to 35 million euros. Should Vitor Roque move for a fee of that magnitude, he would become one of the most expensive exports from Brazil’s Série A. At Barça he would be by far the most dated transfer up to 18 years old and would replace Pedri.
Szoboszlai, Bellingham & Co.: The top transfers in summer 2023
Ilkay Gundogan | Man City -> FC Barcelona | Market value: €20 million
Asked about a move to the Spanish champions, Vitor Roque said: “It’s a dream, not only for me but also for every other player. If I end up going to Barça, it would be a great joy for my family and for me.” The youngster has made 65 appearances for Paranaense to date, contributing 22 goals and eight assists.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
