Barcelona planning move for Vitor Roque

Despite their intricate financial situation, Barcelona have named Athletico Paranaense teenage sensation Vitor Roque their number-one priority to strengthen their attacking department.

According to Sport, the 18-year-old ticks all the boxes for a type of striker the newly-crowned La Liga champions are eager to recruit in the coming months.

The Spaniards’ busted attempt to lure Lionel Messi back to Spotify Camp Nou has not discouraged the club’s effort to increase firepower at Xavi Hernandez’s disposal ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Instead of pursuing a high-cost deal for the veteran forward, they have turned their attention to the up-and-coming Brazilian talent, who could cost up to €35 million with add-ons.

Only a year after making his senior breakthrough at Arena de Baixada, Roque is ready to make a quantum leap in his promising career as Barcelona line up a bid to bring him to the Iberian Peninsula.

Fresh from convincing La Liga to approve their plan to reduce the expenses by €200m over the next two years, the Catalans prepare to dive back into the market pool to reinforce their ranks.

The new agreement means the Blaugrana can deposit the renewed contracts of Ronald Araujo, Gavi, Inaki Pena, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto and Alejandro Balde.

However, they must meet certain requirements to get a chance to sign new players. Indeed, Barcelona must offload the deadwood first to accommodate the new arrivals.

The process is already underway, with the club negotiating Ansu Fati’s switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which should open the floodgate.

Franck Kessie and Ferran Torres are next in line to leave Camp Nou despite both players showing no ambition to renounce their lucrative contracts in Catalunya.

While finding the suitors for the two underachieving stars won’t be a walk in the park, Barcelona could let Raphinha go after just one year and make a considerable profit in return.

But they harbour no interest in parting with the Brazilian winger after his phenomenal maiden season under Xavi.