Barcelona have to battle it out with Chelsea to sign Athletico Paranaense’s Vitor Roque, according to Wednesday’s Sport.
The 18-year-old’s father and his agent are in London, where they will hold talks with his potential suitors. They will then travel to Spain in the next few days to chat with the La Liga side.
Chelsea have already moved as they want to add the striker to their squad next season. Their director, Christopher Vivell, has started searching the market for a new No.9, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang likely to leave the Blues in the summer.
Aubameyang’s presence inside the Barcelona dressing room after their clash against Real Madrid has not pleased the west London club. He has failed to adapt at Stamford Bridge and all these factors indicate an exit could be on the cards.
It’s said Graham Potter’s side have ‘woken up’ and see Roque as the ideal replacement for Aubameyang.
They also see the Brazil U20 international as the ‘new Luis Suarez’, who was obviously a huge success for Liverpool in the Premier League.
Barca would only be in a position to overcome the Premier League competition if Roque insists he’ll only join them and not Chelsea or other English clubs, with Arsenal also in the picture.
