Barcelona has secured the signing of striker Vitor Roque from Athletico, according to European press reports. The Spanish club has agreed to pay €35 million, with an additional €10 million in bonuses, totaling approximately R$236 million at the current exchange rate.
The player will remain at Athletico until the end of 2023 and will join Barcelona starting in January of next year. The Spanish club’s offer to the player influenced the decision. In recent days, there have been rumors that the negotiations were progressing in this direction.
An attorney representing Athletico and the striker is in Barcelona to finalize the last details. Athletico and the player’s agent have not yet confirmed the outcome of the negotiations. Behind the scenes, officials are already confirming a verbal agreement, and the announcement is expected to be made in the coming days.
According to the European press, Vitor Roque’s contract with Barcelona will be for six years, valid until June 2029. A release clause worth €1 billion will be included. Athletico holds 85% of the player’s economic rights, while América-MG holds 15%.
Barcelona is restructuring its squad
It is important to mention that Barcelona is seeking to negotiate some players to comply with the financial regulations of La Liga’s Fair Play. However, the Catalans were not the only ones interested in the 18-year-old forward, Vitor Roque, as he also attracted interest from Premier League teams and PSG.
Barcelona’s interest in Vitor Roque arose at the end of last year and gained momentum earlier this year after the player stood out in the South American U-20 Championship, where Brazil won the title and he was the top scorer. He was subsequently called up to the senior national team.
Vitor Roque is Athletico’s top scorer this season, with 15 goals scored. Taking into account his participation in the Brazilian U-20 national team, he has scored a total of 21 goals this year. In 2022, he was even nominated as one of the best players in the Copa Libertadores during the runner-up campaign.
