Everton want to sign Vitor Roque as Barcelona make transfer decision

Everton want to sign Barcelona striker Vitor Roque before the August 30 transfer deadline, according to Marca.

The Spanish newspaper reported in their print edition (12 August, page 14) that Barcelona will accept a £25.6million transfer fee to sell him.

Roque only made his debut for the club in January but is now available either on loan or for the exact fee the Catalan club signed him for, with the Toffees one of several sides who have made contact.

Vitor Roque transfer could be a big risk for Everton this summer

Barcelona's financial difficulties in recent years are well-documented, and looking to just break even on a 19-year-old who only arrived six months ago highlights the recklessness with which they've been run.

However, so too are the monetary problems at Goodison Park, and as such the Toffees hardly have millions to throw around on players who are relatively unproven this summer.

Therefore, Dyche and the club's hierarchy should exercise caution if they are to pursue a deal for Roque before the end of the transfer window, and would be much, much wiser to do so strictly on a loan deal.

Given the Blues have already spent the majority of their transfer budget [The Athletic, 9 August], shelling out more than £25m on the relatively unproven Roque would likely require the sale of a current first-team player.

Though questions remain over the future of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, bringing in Roque as a replacement if he departs would be far too risky a move for a club that needs to be as sensible as they can this summer.

In other Everton news, the Toffees are at risk of being hit with another Premier League points deduction after new allegations were made.

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