Barcelona have agreed a deal with Athletico Paranaense for the signing of high-profile teenager Vitor Roque.
It is understood that Blaugrana side will sign Roque for about €40 million plus €5 million in add-ons. The youngster will move to the club in January 2024.
The 18-year-old is expected to pen a 5-year deal with Barcelona, meaning he will remain with the club until at least the summer of 2028.
Xavi Hernandez’s side will supposedly insert a staggering release clause of 1-billion pounds into the deal.
Vitor Roque has been a priority target for the Spanish side this summer and they will breathe a sigh of relief as they are set to sign the Brazilian wonderkid.
The deal is almost completed and documents are also ready, both clubs “are prepared to sign soon”, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Reports indicate that other teams were also interested in Roque, most notably; Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham Hotspur.
These European clubs were also willing to offer more than what Barcelona tabled for Vitor Roque.
Athletico Paranaense insert two clauses in Vitor Roque’s deal with Barcelona
It has been revealed that in order for Barcelona to compensate for the less amount they will be signing him, Athletico Paranaense have inserted two more clauses in the deal.
The Brazilian side have included Ballon d’Or clauses in their agreement with the Catalans for Vitor Roque.
Barcelona will pay the Brazilian club, a specified amount of money if Roque finishes in the Ballon d’Or top 3.
They will also pay a higher amount if the attacker would go on to win the Ballon d’Or at any point in his career, according to reports.
The deal was apparently brokered by Barcelona’s new sporting director Deco, having eyed the Brazilian for over a year.
Barcelona are faced with financial difficulties and that is why Vitor Roque will most likely join the club in January 2024.
They could have welcomed him at the club this summer, however, their financial capacity made that possibility bleak.
La Liga imposed a spending limit on the Catalan giants last term and that meant that they can only spend 50% of any amount they save or accumulate on registering new players.
On the 4th of June, 2023, directors of Barcelona indicated a guarantee of €6.7 million against their viability plan.
This plan will offer them the chance to include the new contracts penned by Ronald Araújo, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto and Iñaki Peña, according to ESPN.
There are also new arrivals who haven’t been registered namely; IIkay Gundogan, who joined the club on a free transfer from Manchester City.
Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez should also join the club this summer, with his deal expected to be confirmed this week.
Barcelona are still searching for a replacement for club legend Sergio Busquets who will join Inter Miami this summer.
Is Vitor Roque The Replacement for Sergio Busquets?
The club have penned down Oriol Romeu of Girona as a possible replacement for the departed Spaniard.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Vitor Roque to the La Liga means that another Brazilian talent is joining the league, having already witnessed the arrival of Endrick to Real Madrid.
Vitor Roque has scored 22 goals and provided 8 assists in 65 appearances for Club Athletico Paranaense.
Only time will tell if he can make a remarkable transition and leap to the La Liga, like many legends before him.
