Man Utd 'bid close to €100m' to hijack Vitor Roque Barcelona transfer

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 13 Jul 2023 06:06 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly made last-ditch moves to hijack Vitor Roque’s transfer from Athletico Paranaense to Barcelona according to the player’s agent.

The 18-year-old has agreed to join Barca next summer for a fee that could rise to €60 million, with Roque penning a deal until 2031with a release clause of €500m.

Roque has established himself as one of the world’s brightest young prospects and made his debut for Brazil earlier this year, prompting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

CONFUSION: Barcelona STILL don't know when Vitor Roque will join

Barca beat the likes of Arsenal and PSG to Roque’s signing, having had a long-term agreement of personal terms, but the move was held up by La Liga having to approve the deal due to the Catalan side’s finances.

Roque’s agent revealed that the delay prompted English sides to try and ‘hijack’ the move, with Spurs and United offering nearly €100m for the forward, however his heart was set on Barca.

“I can confirm that English clubs tried to hijack [the] Roque deal,” his agent Andre Cury told the Charla Podcast. “Tottenham and Manchester United sent important bids, way better than Barça; close to €100m”.

“Vitor only wanted Barça, there was no chance to change his mind”.

Barcelona’s ‘feasibility plan’ to sign Roque

Barcelona have been unable to finance a deal to go through this summer, however president Joan Laporta told Mundo Deportivo that there is a chance Roque could join sooner than next summer.

"We have this feasibility plan and it is scheduled for January or June unless the foreseen circumstances improve, although they could still occur," Laporta said.

PROFILE: Everything you need to know about Vitor Roque

Laporta also revealed what he expected from Roque, replying: “Goals. It is a very own style. You can't compare it to Ronaldo or Romario, he is a player who gets into the penalty box and can shoot with both feet anywhere inside that area.

"I can't say that he is a Romario because he plays differently than a Romario, which was from a cartoon. He has a lot of power and although he is very young, he can be compared to Ronaldo, who we had with a spectacular force of nature. He is powerful and he is Brazilian."