Football News: Vitor Roque agent confirms Barcelona agreement

Vitor Roque's agent has announced that Barcelona and Athletico Paranaense have agreed on a contract to sign the 18-year-old this summer.

Roque has piqued the interest of several big European clubs as a result of his recent breakthrough in his hometown, where he is averaging a goal per three games for Paranaense.

Roque has 22 goals and nine assists in 66 games for his current club since leaving Cruzeiro in April 2022, including 15 goals and six assists in 30 games in the 2023 season.

Furthermore, the 2005-born forward recently won the Under-20 South American championship with Brazil, scoring six goals and sharing the Golden Boot with Chelsea's Andrey Santos.

Roque got his first senior Brazil cap in a March friendly against Morocco, thanks to his spectacular achievements at Under-20 level, and he has been courted by Barcelona for some time.

Arsenal and Chelsea were also said to be monitoring Roque's progress, and a recent rumour suggested that Manchester United could try to sabotage his move to Camp Nou at the last minute.

However, speaking to ge.globo, Roque's lawyer Andre Cury stated that his client is on his way to Catalonia after a year of talks with Barcelona sporting director Deco.

"I spoke to Deco about Vitor for almost a year and we finally have an agreement now. We have chosen the best project for Vitor and I thank Barca for their trust,"

Cury said.

With Roque under contract at Athletico Paranaense until May 2027, the Brazilian club is said to have negotiated a lucrative package for the striker's sale, and Barcelona could wind up paying as much as €60 million (£51.3 million) for his services.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona would pay €30 million (£25.63 million) initially, with up to the same amount potentially going to Paranaense in future add-ons, one of which is related to the Ballon d'Or.

Roque has reportedly agreed to a seven-year contract extension with Barcelona until 2030, and the striker will spend the next few months in Brazil before joining Xavi's side in January 2024.

Roque will become Barcelona's fourth summer signing, joining Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez, and Mikayil Faye - who will represent the minor team - in Catalonia.

Xavi is still considered to be looking for another midfielder and a new right-back before Barcelona begins their La Liga championship defence, and La Blaugrana are said to be close to signing Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda.

Despite signing Gundogan on a free transfer to replace Sergio Busquets, Barcelona are apparently looking to strengthen their midfield even further by signing Girona's Oriol Romeu, who spent seven years at Camp Nou between 2004 and 2011 but only made two first-team appearances.

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