Chelsea appear to still be in the market for a striker despite welcoming David Datro Fofana to the club in January – and Vitor Roque is said to be on the Blues' radar. The 18-year wonderkid has been heavily linked with a move to various top European clubs as he continues to impress for Athletico Paranaense.
Roque has become a key feature in the Brazilian side since breaking into the first-team last season. He and Andrey Santos, who signed for the Blues in January, helped Brazil win the South American Under-20 Championship earlier this year.
The striker was named in the Team of the Tournament after finishing joint top-scorer alongside the Chelsea youngster. With Santos joining the west London outfit and Endrick penning a move to Real Madrid, Roque has emerged as the next teenage sensation to leave Brazil and test himself in Europe.
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So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest news which links Roque with a move to west London.
Arsenal battle
According to TeamTalk, Arsenal and Chelsea have leapfrogged Barcelona in the race to sign Roque after discussions for the striker have stalled at the Camp Nou. The report states that the Catalan side were once leading the chase but their financial difficulties have proven to be a stumbling block.
Barcelona preferred
Speaking to Spanish outlet Sport, Roque said: "Yes of course. I work for this. The competitions I played last year, the Libertadores and the Brasileirao, will help me to be well prepared when I go to Europe. I am very happy to be 18 years old, which now allows me to play abroad.
"My goal is to continue working with humility, because with faith in God everything will turn out well. I try to stay focused on day to day and give my best at Athletico. I am sure that, doing well here, going to Europe will be a consequence.
"It is not only a dream of mine but also of any player. If I end up going to Barca, it will be a great joy for my family and for me. For this reason, I have to continue working hard and hope that everything will come to fruition over time."
Asking price set
According to Diario AS, Paranaense have set an asking price of €50million (£44.2m) for Roque. The report states that the Brazilian side also want a 15 per cent sell-on clause, though this could increase if a lower price tag is agreed in exchange.
Transfer truth
A Paranaense director told Globo Esporte: "There’s absolutely nothing to it except the pain of people saying that 'he’s sold', that 'Barcelona want him'. At the right time, if something comes up that the president thinks is worthwhile, then we’ll talk. It’s worth remembering that we made the biggest investment in our history."
Scolari green light
Athletico Paranaense manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has insisted that Roque will one day be 'world-class'. The former Blues boss said: "He's a jewel, spectacular, pure. Hard worker, but still developing at 17. He turned pro at 15. Some things to work on… imagine in 2 to 3 years. Mentally he's spectacular. Good kid. He’ll be world-class."
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