Barcelona are facing a major problem in their strategic squad-building for the coming years, as they are set to be left without a future jewel. Athletico Paranaense wonderkid vitor Roque was earmarked as Barcelona’s top target this summer, but it looks as if they will have a difficult job of securing his signature.
Roque, 18, made his Brazil debut last week, and is thought to be one of the most promising forwards in Brazilian football. Barcelona had highlighted him as a strategic signing that could provide back-up to Robert Lewandowski in the coming seasons, and eventually replace him. Given the economic limits on the club, they seem unlikely to be able to bring in a major forward on for big money in the coming seasons.
However MD say that they are no longer the frontrunners in the race to sign Roque. While the Brazilian striker himself is keen to play for the Blaugrana, his agent and camp are supposedly focusing on more ‘real’ options, making Arsenal the favourites. Agent Andre Cury is currently in London to speak with the English side about a deal. They feel that ultimately the deal will be too expensive for Barcelona to afford.
While the Blaugrana have been linked with Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and while that would be a short-term fix, it leaves them without their long-term replacement for Lewandowski.
