Manchester United and Chelsea Make Eleventh-Hour Bids for Brazilian Teenager Vitor Roque
Manchester United and Chelsea have both made eleventh-hour bids to hijack Barcelona’s deal for Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque, according to reports. The 18-year-old has seven goals in 13 appearances in Brazil’s Serie A this season and had been expected to complete a transfer from Athletico Paranaense to Camp Nou this summer. However, due to La Liga’s salary cap rules, Barcelona have been unable to complete the deal and register Vitor Roque.
This has opened the door for United and Chelsea, as well as French champions Paris Saint-Germain, who have all made contact with the teenager’s entourage and are trying to convince Vitor Roque to backtrack on his agreement with Barca. The Catalan club agreed a fee worth an initial €35million (£30m) with Paranaense months ago, but the rival bids are willing to go higher and pay the fee in fewer instalments.
Vitor Roque is Regarded as Brazil’s Next Big Attacking Talent
Vitor Roque is regarded as Brazil’s next big attacking talent and is being billed as such. He has only verbally agreed a move to Camp Nou and neither the club nor the player have officially committed to the transfer, meaning he is still free to discuss a move elsewhere. Barcelona have an offer on the table worth £30m plus £7m in add-ons and bonuses, which will be paid over the course of three years.
However, United, Chelsea and PSG are all prepared to offer Vitor Roque significantly more lucrative terms and up the fee that his agent would receive for the deal. The offer on the table from Barca is a £3m-a-year deal – around £57,000-a-week – but Chelsea, United and PSG could triple that salary and offer closer to £8.5m-a-year, or £160,000-a-week.
Barcelona Remain Confident of Wrapping Up the Deal
Barcelona are aware of the rival offers but remain confident of wrapping up the deal, with the teenager’s preference being a move to Camp Nou. He has given his word to the Catalan club that he will ignore any rival offers. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United, Chelsea or PSG can convince Vitor Roque to change his mind and join them instead.