Chelsea and Arsenal are just two of the clubs reportedly pursuing Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque.
Goal Brasil reported in February that the Gunners were in the race for the Athletico-PR forward.
Now, Spain’s MD – via Sport Witness – has claimed that Chelsea are looking to quickly tie a deal up for Roque.
Arsenal and Chelsea famously locked horns in January over the signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Ukrainian winger appeared keen to join the Gunners, only for the Blues to swoop in and land him instead.
Arsenal and Chelsea are likely to be up against one another – and other suitors – heading into the summer too.
MD have reported that Arsenal are ‘pushing hard’ and are ‘well positioned’ for Roque, but ‘not that much’.
By contrast, the Stamford Bridge outfit is now ‘moving quickly’ to get the signing of the 18-year-old done.
Even Barcelona, who were said to be leading that race for weeks, are now having things ‘complicated’ by Chelsea.
Earlier this month, Globo Esporte – via Sport Witness – reported that Arsenal and Roque’s camp had held talks.
The player’s father and representatives spoke to the Gunners hierarchy while in London, claimed the report.
However, Arsenal – and other top suitors – must watch out for Chelsea.
The Blues seem eager to build on their January efforts in the market.
Likened to Sergio Aguero
Roque reportedly has a €42m (£37m) price tag, reflecting the youngster’s immense potential.
Scouting outlet Breaking the Lines recently compared Roque to Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez.
‘From the title of the article (Vitor Roque: The New Aguero?), I guess you can tell where this is going,’ they wrote.
‘The player that I mostly look at when I see Vitor Roque is Sergio Aguero. The ability to finish in various different ways, the frame, the physique.
‘The only thing that could arguably even make him a little better is the fact that Vitor is faster and has much more work rate.
‘But then again it has to be noted Aguero had a couple of knee injuries when at Atletico and then at City that definitely affected him.’
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