Club Athletico Paranaense have set their asking price for Vitor Roque following initial contact with Arsenal over a potential transfer.

Brazil's Vitor Roque celebrates after scoring against Venezuela during the South American U-20 championship football match at the Metropolitano de Techo stadium in Bogota, Colombia on February 3, 2023. (Photo by JUAN PABLO PINO/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s Vitor Roque celebrates after scoring against Venezuela during the South American U-20 championship football match at the Metropolitano de Techo stadium in Bogota, Colombia on February 3, 2023. (Photo by JUAN PABLO PINO/AFP via Getty Images)

Bruno Andrade writes for Brazilian outlet UOL that Arsenal are the latest club interested in signing Vitor Roque, opening initial exploratory conversations and discussing internally an eventual push to sign the teenage striker.

Mikel Arteta has reportedly endorsed the club’s interest, and Athletico Paranaense have set a minimum asking price of €40m (£35.5m).

Roque’s release clause was previously reported to be around €60m, but UOL claim it’s as high as €100m. Either way, it would clearly be much better to negotiate and agree a lower fee with Athletico.

Goal recently reported that Arsenal had joined Chelsea, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona in the race for Roque.

Edu Gaspar was reportedly the one to approach the player’s agent, but the Gunners are yet to make a concrete proposal.

According to Goal, Barcelona are leading the race to sign the Brazilian teenager.

LA PLATA, ARGENTINA: Vitor Roque of Athletico-PR celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during a Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2022 quarter-final second leg match between Estudiantes and Athletico Paranaense at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium on August 11, 2022. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
LA PLATA, ARGENTINA: Vitor Roque of Athletico-PR celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during a Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2022 quarter-final second leg match between Estudiantes and Athletico Paranaense at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium on August 11, 2022. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

As Roque turns 18 later this month, he’ll be old enough for a transfer to Europe in the summer. But he has a contract until 2027, so his club are in a strong position to turn away lowball offers.

The striker only moved to Athletico-PR last April, joining from Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.

He made 52 appearances for the two clubs in 2022, scoring 14 goals and assisting five in all club competitions.

The youngster is also a Brazil u20 international, scoring six goals and assisting two in his 11 games with the national side.

All of those goals were scored in Brazil’s successful u20 South American Championship campaign, with his side emerging as champions this week.