Arsenal are making progress with a potential move for Vitor Roque, amid setbacks for FC Barcelona in the race for the striker.

• Arsenal are progressing in their attempts to sign Athletico Paranaense’s Vitor Roque, while Barcelona’s talks for the striker have stalled due to financial difficulties.
• Roque is reportedly available for £35m, but Athletico may want as much as €60m (£52.8m) for the signing.
• The 18-year-old Brazilian striker made 52 senior appearances in 2022, scoring 14 goals and assisting five in all club competitions. 

TEAMtalk report that both Arsenal and Chelsea are making progress as they look to sign Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, but Barcelona’s talks for the striker have stalled.

Barcelona were previously believed to be close to securing a deal for the youngster, but their financial difficulties have caused problems.

Instead of an outright transfer, Barcelona suggested an initial loan with an obligation to buy, but that didn’t go down well.

Arsenal have reportedly been in contact with Roque’s camp, and TEAMtalk suggest the 18-year-old is available for £35m.

But when Fabrizio Romano reported in February that Arsenal had sent scouts to watch Roque, he added that Athletico may want as much as €60m (£52.8m) for the signing.

Brazilian outlet UOL and Goal previously claimed that Arsenal were interested in signing 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 in the player, and Edu Gaspar was the one to approach the player’s agent. Roque has a deal until 2027 with Athletico Paranaense.

As Roque is now 18, he’s old enough for a transfer to Europe in the summer.

He made 52 senior appearances in 2022, scoring 14 goals and assisting five in all club competitions. He has four goals in seven games in 2023 so far.

The youngster is also a Brazil u20 international, scoring six and assisting two in his 11 matches 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.

Arsenal are pretty stacked with centre-forward options, but perhaps speculation around Folarin Balogun’s future could open the door to the signing of a replacement.