West Ham United are interested in signing Athletico Paranaense’s Vitor Roque, according to journalist Venê Casagrande.
The Hammers want the forward on a loan deal with an obligation to buy and the cost of the deal would reach close to €20m, including bonuses. Athletico will also be eligible to receive a percentage of the fee from the 17-year-old’s future sale.
The journalist adds ‘conversations are in progress’, likely between the two clubs, for the transfer of the Brazil U20 international to West Ham.
Roque, who managed seven goals and three assists for Athletico last year, is currently with Brazil at the U20 South American Championship in Colombia.
Casagrande doesn’t make it clear whether David Moyes’ side are looking to sign the player in January or next summer. If it’s the former, the Brazilian will not be eligible to play for West Ham this season because he will only turn 18 years age on February 28th.
West Ham está interessado em Vitor Roque, do Athletico e que atualmente disputa o Sul-Americano Sub-20, na Colômbia. O time inglês quer o atacante por empréstimo e com obrigação de compra. Os valores chegam perto de € 20 milhões entre pagamentos fixos e variáveis. (+) pic.twitter.com/oH1EFhuDso
— Venê Casagrande (@venecasagrande) January 19, 2023
Clubs in the UK are not able to sign overseas players until they are 18 and this was confirmed by a joint statement released by the Premier League, the FA and the EFL in 2020.
