Vitor Roque has been enjoying a stunning rise in stature over in Brazil and has put top clubs across Europe on high alert.
Just 17 years old, the Athletico Paranaense striker was a key part of the team that made it to the Copa Libertadores final last year.
On top of that, Roque helped Brazil win the South American U-20 Championship recently, finishing as the top scorer of the tournament with six goals to his name, the same as teammate Andrey Santos.
Barcelona have been hot on his trails for a while now and are understood to have made initial contacts with Athletico Paranaense to explore the possibility of a move.
But, clubs like Chelsea, West Ham United, and PSG have shown an interest in the teenage centre-forward. Furthermore, recent reports suggest that Arsenal have also entered the race for his signing in the summer window.
With the number of suitors multiplying for Roque, Athletico Paranaense president Mario Celso Petraglia recently provided an update on the future of the young striker, stating that the race for the youngster was heating up.
“There is a race for Vitor Roque. We cannot pay what European teams pay,” Petraglia said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
The Athletico Paranaense president also revealed that they had received offers for him, but none that matched their demands.
“We have already received calls and offers, but they have not reached what we are asking for,” he said. “There is still a long way to go.”
The report from Mundo Deportivo mentions that Athletico Paranaense are holding out for a fee of around €35-40 million for Roque, a sum similar to what clubs have paid for Brazilian talents such as Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes and Lucas Paqueta.
Barcelona see Roque as the ideal understudy for Robert Lewandowski and believe that the youngster can eventually take over as the main man at Spotify Camp Nou. But with the race heating up for his signing, the Blaugrana will need to act swiftly.