Vitor Roque agents make transfer decision after new Everton bid
Vitor Roque and his agents would rather leave Barcelona permanently as Everton try to sign him this month, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Writing on their website [13 August], the outlet reported that Barcelona initally wished to sanction a loan move for the Brazilian but his entourage went against that idea.
The Blues have seen a bid worth £23.9m rejected by the La Liga side as they want to at least recoup the £25m they paid Athletico-PR for his services last year.
Will Everton sign Vitor Roque?
The 19-year-old has not impressed Hansi Flick in pre-season and despite initially wanting a loan move for the striker, they are now keen to sanction his departure from the Nou Camp.
Sean Dyche has been on the hunt for a striker in the final weeks of the transfer window, with AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham [Gazzetta dello Sport] the most likely target but it appears the Blues have spotted an opportunity in Spain.
Roque has featured 16 times, scoring two goals for Barcelona as deputy to Robert Lewandowski and has found his playing time in La Liga limited by the 35-year-old.
The move hasn’t panned out for the Brazilian international and he faces an important decision in his young career as he looks to find the perfect environment to replicate the form he showed in his native Brazil, with 34 goals and 12 assists in 97 appearances for both Athletico-PR and Cruzeiro.
One of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto may have to leave Goodison Park with both of their futures the subject of speculation, to accommodate the arrival of Roque.
The last time Everton took a punt on a young striker was Moise Kean, the Italian managed just two goals in 32 Premier League appearances before returning to Juventus but Roque is one of the hottest young prospects in the Brazilian national side and would be an excellent coup for the Blues.
Barcelona must sell to fund signings and registrations such as Dani Olmo, Inigo Martinez, Pau Victor, and Alex Valle, so the move for Roque to join Everton makes sense for all parties.
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