Tottenham Hotspur are joining the race to sign Vitor Roque having made contact to try and snatch the Arsenal target.
Spurs’ transfer plans for the summer have been hit with Fabio Paratici now facing a worldwide ban.
That hasn’t exactly stopped the rumour mill though with Vitor Roque now being linked with Tottenham.
Brazilian news outlet Globo Esporte report that Tottenham have made their first move by initiating contact to try and sign the Athletico Paranaense talent.
It’s stated that West Ham, Liverpool, Chelsea Manchester United, Aston Vila and Arsenal have all contacted Vitor Roque’s representatives.
Vitor Roque’s agents were in England last week and seemingly spoke to a host of Premier League clubs.
Barcelona have since met with the representatives too as they seek to win the race for Vitor Roque’s signature this summer.
Arsenal are favourites for Vitor Roque
This news will be of interest to Edu and Arsenal.
Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed last week that Vitor Roque is ‘determined’ to sign for Barcelona but Arsenal are favourites to sign him.
They described the Gunners as being ‘best placed’ to sign Vitor Roque with Edu pushing to add another Brazilian talent at Arsenal.
This certainly lines up with UOL Esporte’s reports in February, suggesting that Mikel Arteta had approved a move for the teenager.
Vitor Roque may not come cheap though; Goal claimed in February that Athletico Paranaense want a staggering £52million, the full release clause.
It’s hard to imagine Tottenham paying that kind of money or even pushing for a deal with Paratici’s future unclear and no manager in place.
Still, the 18-year-old striker – who has bagged 10 goals in 40 games for Athletico Paranaense – is a hugely exciting talent and maybe the kind of player Spurs need to bring in.
We still think Arsenal will be ahead of Spurs here, but until a deal is done, you just never know.
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