Barcelona reach agreement over 5-year contract with 18-year-old star previously linked with Arsenal - Reports
Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement to sign former Arsenal transfer target Vitor Roque on a five-year contract.
According to Diario AS, the Blaugrana have reached an agreement over a €40 million transfer fee with Athletico Paranaense for the striker, which will be paid in three instalments. He's expected to join Barcelona ahead of the new season.
They apparently view him as Robert Lewandowski's successor in the long run who could, in the meantime, compete for a starting spot. The 34-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, winning the Golden Boot by scoring 23 times in 34 La Liga games in the 2022-23 season.
However, Barca have lacked a backup No. 9 for Lewandowski since Memphis Depay's permanent move to Atletico Madrid in January. Roque, 18, has played 61 times across competitions for Athletico-PR's senior team, scoring 17 goals and assisting eight times.
Roque has the attributes to become a complete striker. He's as good with his passing skills as he's with his finishing. The Brazilian striker also has a low center of gravity, which aids him when he's trying to get out of tight spaces. Moreover, while Roque is a No. 9 by trade, he can also be deployed down the wings.
Barcelona weren't the only team keeping track of his impressive performances in Brazil. According to Fichajes.com in April, Arsenal were willing to make an offer for Roque after scouting him for several months. However, it seems Deco, Barca's technical secretary, has helped the La Liga champions secure his signing.
The former Barcelona midfielder's knowledge of the Brazilian market and his good relationship with Roque's agent, Andre Cury, apparently helped sealed the deal.
Arsenal-target publicly snubs Barcelona
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Arsenal after his impressive displays in recent seasons.
The Spaniard played in all but two of his team's 38 La Liga games this season, helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. Reports have claimed that he has been eyed as a potential replacement for the exit-bound Sergio Busquets at Barca.
However, Zubimendi has reiterated his desire to stay at the Anoeta, telling El Diario Vasco (h/t Evening Standard) in a recent interview:
"Inheriting Asier Illarramendi’s No. 4 motivates me more than Sergio Busquets’ No. 5."
Real Sociedad captain Asier Illarramendi (33) has donned the No. 4 jersey since the 2015-16 season. It remains to be seen what Zubimendi feels about a potential move to Arsenal.
The Gunners seem set to lose Granit Xhaka this summer, with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich touted as potential suitors.