Barcelona OUT of the race to sign Brazilian wonderkid

Stuart Telford

• 30 Apr 2023 13:32 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have pulled out of the race to sign Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, clearing the way for Arsenal and Chelsea to make a move.

Roque, 18, was seen as an ideal player to sign next summer - a striker 16 years Robert Lewandowski's junior whose acquisition would also have been positive branding exercise, with Real Madrid set to sign their own Brazilian prodigy in Endrick in the summer of 2024.

But Barca have been told by La Liga that they need to reduce their debt by €200 million if they want to take part in the competition next season, while they are also trying to fund Lionel Messi's return from Paris Saint-Germain.

READ: Barcelona resort to desperate measures in Messi pursuit

And those twin pressures mean a deal for Roque will not be happening anytime soon.

"Barcelona cannot afford the signing of Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque as of today," reports Barca specialist Gerard Romero. "The €40 million price tag is a figure that can't be reached considering the club's economic situation."

Disappointment for Roque

Roque has previously spoken of his desire to play for Barca.

"Yes of course," he said when asked by Sport if he would like to. "If I had a footballer of [Lewandowski's] level by my side I'd try to learn as much as I could.

"If it ended up happening it'll be important for my career; something wonderful."

READ: Arsenal 'prepared to listen to offers' for star pair

But with Barcelona out of the race, the London clubs are poised to make a move.

Arsenal might count themselves as favourites. With Financial Fair Play casting a long shadow over Chelsea after their €600m spend on new players under Todd Boehly. The Blues could need to sell before they buy this summer.

Arsenal are, unlike Chelsea, also on course to place Champions League football next season. On top of that, they have a Brazilian director of sport in Edu, and Roque would find compatriots Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos in the dressing room.