The coach of Barcelona, former half Xavi, said in an interview that the Spanish club is watching the hiring of the 18-year-old Centroavante Vitor Roque, from Athletico Paranaense. The main transfer window of the European market now starts in June and Barcelona seeks reinforcements for the offensive sector.
"We are in control and very well informed of the situation involving Vitor. Our financial situation will be crucial to understand what will happen with this negotiation," he said, in an interview for the ‘Jijantes’ channel.
The player has a contract with Athletico until April 2027, with a fine of EUR 100 million for the foreign market. The Spanish press has quoted between EUR 30 million and EUR 40 million for Barcelona's offer. If the value is confirmed, the attacker becomes the biggest sale in the history of the club Paraná.
MAJOR ATHLETIC SALES
In euros, according to the ranking of the site Transfermarkt
| Player | Age* | Position | Buying club | Value** | Year |
| 1st Renan Lodi | 21 | lateral | Atlético Madrid | 21,7 | 2020 |
| 2nd Lucas | 21 | attacker | Rennes | 21,3 | 2000 |
| 3rd Bruno Guimarães | 22 | steering wheel | Lyon | 20 | 2020 |
| 4th Kleberson | 24 | steering wheel | Manchester Utd | 8,6 | 2003 |
| 5th Hernani | 22 | steering wheel | Zenit | 8 | 2016 |
| 5th Robson Bamboo | 22 | quarterback | Nice | 8 | 2020 |
| 7th Fernandinho | 20 | steering wheel | Shakhtar Donetsk | 7,8 | 2005 |
| 8th Abner | 22 | lateral | Bétis | 7 | 2023 |
| 8th Léo Pereira | 23 | quarterback | Flamengo | 7 | 2019 |
| 10th Rony | 24 | attacker | Palm trees | 6 | 2019 |
In March the Relief site, from Spain, published material stating that Barcelona and Athletico Paranaense They advanced in the negotiation by the attacker Vitor Roque. "The Brazilian attacker, who has just turned 18, is the one chosen by Barça to have at least an alternative from 9 to Robert Lewandowski, who will be 35 in August. After many analyses by Roque, coaches, sports leaders and scouts came to the same conclusion: we must make an effort to incorporate it," says the text.
" Catalans want to move forward with an operation that will exceed EUR 40 million with variables. On the other hand, Atlético Paranaense said ‘yes’ to make some aspects of the transfer more flexible, such as reducing the fixed concept a little in exchange for more variables or accepting a loan with purchase option to be executed in the summer of 2024," Relevo reported.
‘variables’ can be player performance clauses. That is, if he reaches a number of games or goals for Barcelona, for example, Athletico receives an additional amount.
Backstage, in Brazil, the information is that Athletico has already warned that it does not open negotiations if the values are below 40 million euros (about R$ 220 million). The player's rescissory fine is 100 million euros for the outside. He has a contract with the Paraná club until April 2027.
The Deportive World of Spain reported in February that Barcelona offered to pay three annual instalments of 10 million euros, totaling 30 million. In addition, Athletico would receive more values according to goals reached by the player in European football (games and goals, for example). This bonus could range between 5 million and 10 million euros. That is, in total, the Paraná club would receive something between 35 million and 40 million euros.
In March, report of the Sports World stated that a challenge for Barcelona is the firmness of Mario Celso Petraglia, president of Athletico. "The club faces a negotiation that will be difficult, for the interest of other clubs, for the high price and, also, for the negotiating capacity of the president of Athletico Panaraense, Mário Celso Petraglia", says the text, completing that the leader has "fame to be very hard in business". According to the Spanish website, Athletico intends to ask for 35 to 40 million euros.
