Barcelona ‘open negotiations to sign wonderkid Vitor Roque who has been dubbed ‘the new Luis Suarez’

Barcelona have reportedly started negotiations with Brazilian team Athletico Paranaense for 17-year-old wunderkind Vitor Roque.

The Catalan giants have contacted Athletico Paranaense’s technical director, Luiz Felipe Scolari, and executive director, Alexandre Mattos, to begin talks about Roque’s incorporation to the Camp Nou, according to Spanish media. signings.

Roque has already been compared to legendary former Blaugrana striker Luis Suárez for his killer instincts in the penalty area despite his young age.

The youngster does not turn 18 until February 28, but Barça is confident that they can close a deal that will take him to the club in the summer.

He already has seven goals and three assists for Furacao in 36 appearances, having joined in April 2022 shortly after his 17th birthday.

Barcelona have reportedly opened negotiations to sign Vitor Roque before the start of next season.

The 17-year-old has been compared to Barca legend Luis Suarez, who played for the club between 2014 and 2020.

The Catalan team are eager for the youngster to learn from talismanic star Robert Lewandowski.

Barca have reportedly described Roque as a tremendously talented young star who can become a world number 9 at the club.

And important to his plan for the youngster is current talisman Robert Lewandowski, who has been a top 9 in the world in recent years.

With the Polish international, the 17-year-old would have the opportunity to learn his trade not only from an extremely powerful finisher, but also from a player who has brought leadership and professionalism to Barca since his arrival in the summer.

But the teenager is not thought to be cheap, as Furacao president Mario Celso Petraglia is one of the toughest negotiators when it comes to parting ways with the club’s young talent.

Athletico Paranaense paid around £4m for Roque less than 12 months ago, and they will probably want to make a big profit on their investment to allow the 17-year-old to move to Europe.

Which would present a problem for Barca, who have been warned by LaLiga boss Javier Tebas that there will be no big money transfers for the cash-strapped Catalan giants this summer.

However, it is believed that the Brazilian club is prepared to allow Barça to pay what was reported. £31-35 million fee in installments, since the LaLiga winger is committed to remaining competitive and at the same time reducing costs.

Roque is currently chasing Neymar’s nine goals in the South American Sub-20

Selecao icon Neymar currently holds the national record for goals scored in the Under-20 tournament (nine)

And surely Barça will not foresee too many delays in the negotiations, given that the player’s agent is Alex Cury, former Barça representative in Brazil.

The Brazilian star is believed to have turned down the chance to follow compatriot Endrick to Real Madrid to join Barca ahead of the 2023-24 season, according to Forbes.

Roque is sweeping the South American Under-20 Championship, leading with six goals in the race for the golden boot, and is also chasing Neymar’s Brazilian record of nine goals in the competition.