Barcelona to sign Vitor Roque on a 5-year contract. According to reports, Barcelona and former Arsenal transfer target Vitor Roque have come to terms on a five-year deal.
The Blaugrana and Athletico Paranaense have agreed to a €40 million transfer fee for the striker, which will be paid in three installments, according to Diario AS. Before the upcoming season, he is anticipated to sign with Barcelona.
They appear to see him as Robert Lewandowski’s long-term replacement who might contend for a starting position in the interim. The 34-year-old hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, hitting 23 goals in 34 La Liga games to earn the Golden Boot in 2022–2023.
Since Memphis Depay’s permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid in January, though, Barca has been without a backup No. 9 for Lewandowski. Roque, 18, has made 61 appearances for Athletico-PR’s senior team in various tournaments, contributing eight times to assists and scoring 17 goals.
Roque has the skills to develop into a complete striker. Both his passing and finishing abilities are excellent. The Brazilian striker also benefits from having a low center of gravity because it makes it easier for him to maneuver through confined places. Furthermore, Roque can be used on the wings even though he is a No. 9 by trade.
Not just Barcelona kept tabs on his outstanding performances in Brazil. Fichajes.com reported in April that after scouting Roque for several months, Arsenal was prepared to make an offer. Deco, Barca’s technical secretary, appears to have assisted the La Liga champions in signing him, though.
The transaction appears to have been completed in part by the former Barcelona midfielder’s familiarity with the Brazilian market and his cordial relationship with Roque’s agent, Andre Cury.
A Barcelona target publicly rejects Arsenal:
Following his strong performances in previous seasons, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Arsenal.
The Spaniard helped his team reach the UEFA Champions League next season by participating in all but two of their 38 La Liga games this year. According to reports, he’s being considered as a possible Sergio Busquets successor at Barcelona.
Zubimendi has since expressed a desire to remain at the Anoeta, stating in an interview with El Diario Vasco (h/t Evening Standard) that: “More than Sergio Busquets’ No. 5, Asier Illarramendi’s No. 4 inspires me.”
Since the 2015–16 campaign, Real Sociedad captain Asier Illarramendi (33) has worn the No. 4 jersey. What Zubimendi thinks about a prospective transfer to Arsenal is yet to be seen.
Granit Xhaka appears destined to leave Arsenal this summer, with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen being rumored as prospective bidders.
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