Owing to their financial problems, FC Barcelona are pursuing a transfer strategy of scouting and buying high-potential youngsters while they are still affordable. Vitor Roque is one player who fits this category and has been identified as one of the top targets for the club in the coming transfer window.
FC Barcelona have been facing different financial challenges in the last few years. Still, they have been able to strengthen their squad with free signings and young players. Last season, the club incorporated a number of high-profile players like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, and Franck Kessie.
The club is looking to further strengthen the squad this season, and their primary target is Vitor Roque, who can be Lewandowski’s replacement in the short and successor in the long term. Roque has already made his name as one of the most promising talents in the world, especially with his performances in the South American under 20 Championship at the start of the year.
FC Barcelona and Roque’s club, Atletico Paranaense, were already in contact regarding the future of the teenager. Previously, the Brazilian club and Barcelona were quite distant in their valuations of the player, but a recent report from RELEVO claims that Atletico Paranaense have shown greater flexibility in the second round of talks.
The report further claims that despite their problems with financial fair play regulations, the Catalan club is willing to pay up to €40 million in total for the explosive forward. Previously, the Brazilians were asking for a larger chunk of this price to be paid upfront, but now are more willing to convert this price into variables, and the transfer operation could also take the form of an initial loan that will be made permanent in the summer of 2024.