Arsenal are once again looking to tap into the Brazilian market with the club having sent scouts to watch Athletico Paranaense star Vitor Roque, but face competition from another five ‘top’ clubs for his signature.
The Gunners currently have three strikers on the books, with Gabriel Jesus their star man and Eddie Nketiah a competent backup, while Folarin Balogun continues to impress in France and is certainly staking a claim for a spot in Mikel Arteta’s squad next season, currently leading the Ligue 1 scoring charts.
However, they are not prepared to sit on their laurels, and have reportedly joined the race for young talent Roque, with the 17-year-old having netted seven times in his first full top flight season with Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.
He has also impressed in the South America U-20 Championship, finishing as the top scorer with six goals in the competition as Brazil lifted the trophy earlier this month.
And, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are keen on adding the youngster to their ranks, though they face stiff competition, and an even stiffer price-tag.
‘Arsenal have sent their scouts to watch Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque. However, it’s the same for five top European clubs’, he explained.
‘Athletico Paranaense are looking to receive around €60m for Roque so it won’t be easy for any club’, Romano added.
With other areas of the squad including central midfield and wide areas in need of significant strengthening and heavy spending on the likes of Declan Rice already mooted in north London, a mega-money move for a teenager seems unlikely, however there is no doubt that the Gunners remain appreciative of his talents and are watching his developments closely.
