LALIGA
Barcelona agree deal for Vitor Roque: who is he and how much will he cost?
Deco has made his first signing as Barça’s director of football although the deal for Brazilian starlet Roque cannot yet be made official.
Vitor Roque will be a Barcelona player next season, with incoming director of football Deco playing a leading role in sealing the deal for the young Athletico Paranaense striker, AS has learned. The former Portugal international’s knowledge of the Brazilian market and his relationship with the players’ agent, André Cury, have been key to ensuring the 18-year-old makes the move to Catalonia.
Why can’t Barcelona make Vitor Roque’s signing official?
Although all aspects of the transfer have been agreed, it won’t be made official until Barça have sufficiently reduced their wage bill to be able to register the teenager. Which could still be easier said than done, with the club’s delicate financial position requiring them to move on at least three more players in order to make space for new ones coming in. Roque has agreed a five-year contract, with the LaLiga champions due to pay a transfer fee of around €40 million (circa $43.2 million) in three installments.
What type of player is Vitor Roque?
The young Brazilian usually plays as a central striker and is considered to be the long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, although his versatility also means he can play in the wide attacking roles.
Roque, who made his full international debut for Brazil in March, is known for his goalscoring instinct and ability with the ball at his feet. It is hoped that his arrival in Barcelona will help revitalise Xavi Hernández’s attack, which was too dependent on Lewandowski at times during the season just finished.
What other positions are Barcelona looking to strengthen?
The teenager’s arrival would definitively shut the door on a potential return to Barça for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Another move for the Gabonese had been mooted, although signing a younger forward was always the club’s preference.
Roque’s (presumed) arrival means Xavi will be left with two key areas of the team still to strengthen ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Barcelona’s remaining top priorities are to sign two midfielders, one defensive and one attacking.