FC Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Vitor Roque from Club Athletico Paranaense, following links to Arsenal earlier this year.

Arsenal transfers - Brazil's Athletico Paranaense Vitor Roque celebrates after scoring a goal against Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata during their Copa Libertadores football tournament quarterfinals second leg match, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, on August 11, 2022. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP) (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense Vitor Roque celebrates after scoring a goal against Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata during their Copa Libertadores football tournament quarterfinals second leg match, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, on August 11, 2022. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

FC Barcelona announced on Wednesday that they’d signed Vitor Roque from Club Athletico Paranaense, reaching an agreement for the player to join the club for the 2024/25 season.

Barcelona have handed Roque a contract lasting until the 2030/31 season, with a buy-out clause of €500m.

Barcelona had always been the favourites for Roque’s signature, but Arsenal were linked with the forward quite heavily earlier this year.

Arsenal transfers - Brazil's Vitor Roque kisses the trophy after winning the South American U-20 football championship after defeating Uruguay 2-0 in their final round match, at El Campin stadium in Bogota, on February 12, 2023. (Photo by DANIEL MUNOZ / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s Vitor Roque kisses the trophy after winning the South American U-20 football championship after defeating Uruguay 2-0 in their final round match, at El Campin stadium in Bogota, on February 12, 2023. (Photo by DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

It appeared there could be a potential opening for the Gunners on the basis of Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play difficulties, with the La Liga side reportedly initially suggesting a loan with an obligation to buy.

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Instead, it seems the solution for Barcelona was to agree to sign Roque but defer the transfer for an extra year.

Fabrizio Romano had previously confirmed that Arsenal sent scouts to watch Roque, but he denied the Gunners’ interest had progressed beyond that.

Arsenal transfers - Brazil's player Vitor Roque celebrates after winning the South American U-20 football championship after defeating Uruguay 2-0 in their final round match, at El Campin stadium in Bogota, on February 12, 2023. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s player Vitor Roque celebrates after winning the South American U-20 football championship after defeating Uruguay 2-0 in their final round match, at El Campin stadium in Bogota, on February 12, 2023. (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)

Roque made 52 senior appearances in 2022, scoring 14 goals and assisting five in all club competitions. He has 15 goals and six assists in 31 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.

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