Real Madrid News
Real Madrid monitoring teenage Barcelona striker target, could cost above €50 million – report
Having signed one of the most exciting prospects in Brazil in the form of Endrick, Real Madrid are now monitoring another starlet from the South American nation in Vitor Roque.
Indeed, according to Brazilian publication GE Globo, Real Madrid are among the clubs keeping tabs on the 17-year-old Athletico Paranaense striker, who is also a top target for Barcelona. Chelsea and PSG are also interested in the teenager.
Vitor Roque enjoyed an impressive season for Athletico Paranaense last year, helping them reach the finals of the Copa Libertadores.
The teenage centre-forward now led Brazil’s U-20 national team to the South American U-20 Championship recently, finishing as the top scorer in the tournament with six goals.
Barcelona have been pushing hard for Roque’s signing after missing out on several prospective targets from South America in recent times.
The Blaugrana are understood to be willing to commit around €35 million to sign the Brazilian sensation.
However, Athletico Paranaense will hold out for at least €50 million for their prized asset. It is because they own 85% of the player’s rights, with the rest 15% of rights being with the player’s boyhood club America-MG.
Hence, Athletico, who have already turned down an offer worth €25 million from an unnamed club, will also look to insert a future sale clause in the agreement.
Whether Real Madrid are willing to make a push for Roque’s signing remains to be seen. For now, they are among the clubs keeping a close watch on the striker’s situation, along with Barcelona, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid have two objectives for the upcoming summer transfer window. The centre-forward and the right-wing position are seen as the two positions to be reinforced but no decision has been made yet about making a move.
This comes over and above the Merengues’ pre-existing need for new midfielders and full-backs in the coming windows.
At first sight, it may appear that Los Blancos are well stacked in the final third. In Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes, they have three starting quality players who are well-complemented by the likes of Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde.
Yet, Vinicius is the only player on the aforementioned list who can boast of a starting role in a fixed position for at least the next decade.
There is worry over the centre-forward role considering Benzema’s lack of form and fitness throughout the current campaign. With the Ballon d’Or winner already 35, the club need a young reinforcement soon which is evident with the team’s struggle for goals this term.
Los Blancos have already invested heavily in Endrick in this regard. However, that has not stopped them from following established options like Dusan Vlahovic and Erling Haaland as their Brazilian wonderkid will not arrive until 2024.
The right wing is also understaffed despite the presence of young Rodrygo and Fede Valverde. The duo have no dearth of talent but have not managed to click on the wing as well as the manager would have liked.
Thus, it remains to be seen as to who the club targets to strengthen the wing and aim to stretch the play. Given the heavy investment planned for Jude Bellingham, a low-cost option is likely to be considered.
