West Ham United transfer news as Premier League clubs join in race for Vitor Roque
West Ham United have been joined by Premier League juggernauts Arsenal and Chelsea as well as Barcelona in the race to sign Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque, according to 90min.
Athletico Paranaense’s record transfer has a £53m release clause, something which may give the Hammers’ competitors a slight edge in this transfer saga.
The report from 90min shares that Newcastle and Manchester United have also been linked previously to Roque, who isn’t short of potential suitors, but is ready for that move to Europe.
“Brazilian talent Vitor Roque has admitted he feels ready to move to Europe, with Barcelona still leading the chase to land the 18-year-old Athletico Paranaense prodigy,” as quoted by 90min. (9 March)
“Roque is already Athletico Paranaense’s record transfer after they triggered a release clause in his contract with former club Cruzeiro. He now has a release clause worth €60m (£53m).
“Barcelona have long been at the front of the queue and the player has revealed his liking for the Catalan giants. But other interest in him is growing and much of that is coming from the Premier League.
“Manchester United, West Ham and Newcastle have been linked previously, but now sources have confirmed to 90min that both Arsenal and Chelsea have now registered their interest in the teenager.”
Tough ask.
With so many top teams coming into the fold for the highly-rated Brazilian, it will be a tough ask for West Ham to pull off this signing.
Nevertheless, stranger things have happened in the whacky world of transfers and Roque could well be tempted by a move to the London Stadium.
Juggernauts from around Europe are endlessly linked with wonderkids from Brazil and a lot of the time moves never even transpire.
The 18-year-old is ready to make a move from South America to Europe however and is in line to make his Brazil national team debut at the end of this month against Morocco.
West Ham could even use Lucas Paqueta as a cheeky agent in this one to lure Roque to the glitz and glamour of London, something the Brazilian chose to do last summer.
The Hammers will be hoping an out-of-the-blue move can be pulled off for Roque’s signature but fans won’t be holding their breath too much over this one.