Arsenal transfers - 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)

Arsenal show strong desire for 17yo signing after agent contact

Feb 13, 2023

Arsenal are the club with the strongest desire to sign Club Athletico Paranaense’s Vitor Roque, according to a report from Spain.

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)

Sport (via Sport Witness) report that Arsenal are the most committed club to signing Vitor Roque from Club Athletico Paranaense this summer.

The Gunners have reportedly expressed their willingness to do a deal to Roque’s agent.

This follows a report from Goal that Arsenal have joined Chelsea, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona in the race for Roque, reaching out to discuss his proposal.

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.

Roque’s current club, Club Athletico Paranaense, are holding out for the player’s release clause – set at €60m (£53m).

As he 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.

CURITIBA, BRAZIL: Vitor Roque of Athletico Paranaense competes for the ball with Marcos Rocha of Palmeiras during a match between Athletico Paranaense and Palmeiras as part of Brasileirao 2022 at Arena da Baixada Stadium on October 25, 2022. (Photo by Heuler Andrey/Getty Images)

Roque 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 10 games with the national side.