Arsenal transfer news: Barcelona fear Gunners will win race for £52m star

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FC Barcelona reportedly view Arsenal as their main rivals in the race to sign Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque, with the north London side believed to be interested in the 17-year-old forward.

According to Sport, the Catalan giants fear the Premier League leaders might be able to beat Barcelona for Roque, with Arsenal recently being linked with the Athletico Paranaense phenom ahead of a potential summer move for the attacker.

Lauded as ‘the new Brazilian Ronaldo’, hype is reaching a fever point for Roque following a breakout 2022 in South America on a domestic level and recent success with Brazil in the U-20 South American Championships, where the striker scored six goals in eight appearances during the tournament.

With a release clause worth €60m (£52m), Roque won’t be a cheap signing as this January saw a number of top Brazilian talents be snapped up by some of Europe’s biggest clubs for top dollar, with Real Madrid’s capture of Endrick the biggest of the group.

Indeed, with Arsenal now firmly in the race to sign Roque, there could be a chance for the Gunners to join in on this new Brazilian gold rush, with sporting director Edu Gaspar no stranger to bringing uncut gems from his homeland to north London.

Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal for just £7m in one of the club’s best deals in years, and Marquinhos was also signed last summer in a relatively cheap transfer from Sao Paulo. However, the Gunners have to be certain about Roque if they’re to spend big on the Brazilian teenager.

Arsenal signing Roque could be a double-edged sword

Roque is clearly a talent for the future, with Barcelona already looking to spend big on the 17-year-old as Xavi Hernandez looks to sign the European giants new leading striker for the next decade. Yet for Arsenal, the north London side aren’t in such a position for a centre-forward, which could make the Brazilian an unusual transfer.

Whilst there is every chance that Roque could flourish in north London with fellow Brazilians Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Maghalese, Arsenal’s attacking options are looking good for both the present and the long-term, which could make a mega-money deal in the summer somewhat redundant.