Vitor Roque Reportedly Wants To Sign For FC Barcelona And Will Wait For Club’s Approach

Brazilian teen sensation Vitor Roque reportedly wants to join FC Barcelona and will wait for the club to approach him.

The 17-year-old from Athletico Paranaense is currently lighting up the South American championships for Brazil’s U20s where he is the joint top scorer on three goals.

This week, 2022’s breakout star in Brazilian football was heavily linked to FC Barcelona, who are allegedly willing to meet his €30mn ($32.7mn) price tag which, conveniently for an outfit mired in debts, can be paid in three installments.

Thankfully for Barca, interest from Roque’s side is reciprocal. On Thursday morning, SPORT again reports that Roque is interested in joining the Catalans and will wait for them to approach him.

Roque cannot be signed by any international club outside of Brazil due to his age at present, though as seen with the likes of Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr and now Endrick at bitter rivals Real Madrid, however, Barca could agree a deal for when Roque turns 18 on February 28.

With Barca currently failing to navigate Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and register Gavi’s new contract, however, they probably wish to wait until finalizing something when it comes to the Copa Libertadores finalist.

SPORT says that everything will be put on hold until July 1, when players start to leave Camp Nou and their FFP margins for the 2023/2024 season will be known.

In any event, it is said that Roque, his family, and agent are all on board with joining Barca and there will be no auction for the youngster that could see him head to a domestic or continental rival instead.

With Barca’s defense and midfield already well established, it is worth sorting out the books to land Roque at any cost.

Not only can he provide competition to the likes of his compatriot Raphinha, Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele on either wing, the Minas Gerais native is also able to operate as a striker and could learn from one of the best in Robert Lewandowski before the mid-30s Pole steps down from the elite.

Should Roque live up to his potential, he could nail down the ‘9’ spot for the next decade and a half or so.