Athletico Paranaense is expected to sell £35 million wonderkid Vitor Roque, with Premier League clubs Newcastle United and West Ham interested in the so-called ‘new Ronaldo,’ according to technical director Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Fernandinho, Renan Lodi, and Bruno Guimaraes have all left the Arena da Baixada for large sums, but Roque, who is only a month away from turning 18, could become Athletico’s most expensive export in the club’s near-100-year history.
Roque’s speed, drive, and fearsome finishing ability have drawn comparisons to 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldo, with O Fenomeno insisting that the Brazil U20 international has everything he needs to follow in his golden footsteps.
“He’s going to fly so high,” Ronaldo predicted of Vitor Roque in 2022.
Ronaldo arrived in Europe as a baby-faced adolescent nearly 30 years ago. And, with PSG, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Real Madrid all in contact with his representatives, Roque could be in for a surprise on his 18th birthday.
AMONG THE CLUBS KEEN ON BRAZIL WONDERKID VITOR ROQUE ARE WEST HAM AND NEWCASTLE UNITED.
“Vitor will most likely be sold,” says Scolari, Ronaldo’s former national team coach.
“He’s 17 years old and still has a lot to learn on the field. But he’s been in the Campeonato Brasileiro and Copa Libertadores since he was 16 years old. He’s a 17-year-old with the intellect and experience of a 24 or 25-year-old.
West Ham, according to Brazilian journalist Vene Casagrande, wants Roque on loan with an option to buy. Athletico Paranaense’s £35 million asking price, on the other hand, maybe a little rich for the Hammers’ blood.
“I am of the opinion that we must sell our players. “If we have the option to sell, we sell,” Scolari adds. “Let’s invest, buy others, and find someone good to sign with.
“We are a sales organization. (We want) a large sum of money.”
Vitor Roque scored five goals in 29 games during his first season in the Premier League in 2022.
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