Manchester United are reportedly in the mix to sign Atletico Paranaense sensation, Vitor Roque, with the promising teenager currently attracting the attention of a host of Europe’s top clubs.
What’s the latest on Roque to Man Utd?
According to journalist Jack Gallagher, the Red Devils are said to be one of a number of Premier League clubs who are keeping tabs on the highly-rated 17-year-old at present, albeit with La Liga giants Barcelona believed to be the frontrunners to sign the eye-catching Brazilian.
Writing on Twitter about that interest, the transfer insider stated:
“Understand that Barcelona are leading the race to sign FM23 legend Vitor Roque. Man Utd, Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle are all also interested in the forward.”
As per the attached piece for 90min, the striker’s current side are unlikely to be able to keep hold of their prise asset – who reportedly has a release clause of around €60m (£53m) – for too much longer, such is the intense level of interest.
How good could Roque and Garnacho be at Old Trafford?
Lauded as “one of the most talented Brazilian players of his generation” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Roque has corroborated that claim with his recent displays for his country in the U20 South American Championship.
The 5 foot 8 dynamo played a vital role in helping to drag Brazil to glory in that competition for the first time since 2011, having scored six goals and provided one assist in eight outings – with that tally of goals only matched by Chelsea’s recent addition, Andrey Santos.
That explosive form follows what has been a scintillating start to life at senior level for the exciting forward at Paranaense, as he already boasts a haul of seven goals and three assists in just 36 appearances, after previously scoring six goals in only 16 games for his former club Cruzeiro.
Clearly a player who possesses “crazy potential“, according to Kulig, Roque has also earned the acclaim of being compared to compatriot – and footballing icon – Ronaldo, while his former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari also stated last year:
“He is someone who knows how to play in that area of the pitch, is able to constantly find space and participates well in other aspects of the game. He is the kind of No.9 that I wouldn’t have wanted to mark when I was playing.
“He will grow a lot. He will be one of the players that Brazil will gain great pleasure from, and we will see if he will continue to develop in the position he plays.”
That would suggest that Erik ten Hag could have a real diamond on his hands if Roque is to make the move to Old Trafford this summer, with there a potential for the Timoteo native to form a scintillating attacking partnership with Alejandro Garnacho in the years to come.
The current United ace has enjoyed a real breakthrough campaign thus far under the former Ajax head coach, with the 18-year-old having already provided eight goal contributions across all competitions, including two goals and two assists in the Premier League.
The Argentine “game-changer” – as described by journalist Samuel Luckhurst – has rightly been receiving the plaudits for his standout form this season, having been described as “dangerous” by club legend Pual Scholes and “unstoppable” by pundit Darren Bent.
With the former Atletico Madrid asset typically lining up on the flanks, he could form part of a ferocious forward line including himself and Roque, with the pair clearly offering a real potent threat in the final third despite their youth.
That deadly duo could prove to be a pairing that Ten Hag can build his side around for the long term at the Theatre of Dreams.
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