Athletico Paranaense starlet Vitor Roque has opened up on his admiration for Bruno Guimaraes with Newcastle United joining Barcelona, Real Madrid and Premier League rivals Arsenal in the race for his signature, speaking to Sport.
We’ve been here before, however.
Andrey Santos was similarly effusive about Newcastle’s number 39 the other side of Christmas, describing Bruno Guimaraes as a ‘phenomenal’ talent. That was before, of course, he chose Chelsea in favour of Eddie Howe’s side.
Roque, meanwhile, appears to be leaning towards Barcelona. He admitted as much in that Sport interview earlier in the week; the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of idol and former Camp Nou hero Luis Suarez difficult to turn down.
Guimaraes’ emergence as one of Europe’s finest midfielders, at least, should give Newcastle something to hang their hopes upon. Roque, after all, rose through the ranks at Athletico Paranaense – like Bruno – and could be mentored by the man himself if he was to end up at St James’ Park.
Will Vitor Roque follow in Bruno Guimaraes’ Newcastle United footsteps?
“Athletico Paranaense has always developed great players,” says Roque. “Like Bruno Guimaraes, who is now at Newcastle and was in the last World Cup with Brazil.”
Roque, a ‘revelation’ in Brazil’s top-flight last season, enhanced his burgeoning reputation with six goals in eight games as the Selecao triumphed at the U20 South American championships recently.
Arsenal director Edu Gaspar, per Goal, has begun talks with Roque’s representatives. There is a growing confidence, however, that the teenager will end up at Barcelona; now free to seal a summer switch to Europe after turning 18.
“Vitor will probably be sold,” says Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning manager now works as a technical director behind the scenes at Athletico Paranaense.
“He still has a lot to learn on the pitch. But he’s been playing in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores since he was 16,” Scolari adds. “He’s a 17 (now 18)-year-old boy with the brain and experience of a 24 or 25-year-old.
“He’s ready. When (a club) comes up with enough money, I think we will sell.”
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