Manchester United Make Contact With Athletico Paranaense's Vitor Roque

Manchester United have made contact with the representatives of Athletico Paranaense attacker Vitor Roque and fancying a move in the summer transfer window, as per reports in Brazil. The Red Devils are keen on adding a centre-forward to their team and the Brazilian has emerged as a potential backup option.

Vitor Roque has scored 5 goals in 11 appearances for Athletico Paranaense across all competitions this season (stats via Transfermarkt). He plays as a centre-forward and has ticked all the boxes of a Brazilian wonder kid. The attacker has been an eye-pleaser for most of the spectators.

All he needs now is a big-money move to an European club and a move looks imminent for the talented youngster. A host of elite European clubs such as Barcelona, Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal among others remain interested in the player.

Manchester United do need a striker for the long-term and Vitor Roque could help them in that aspect. The Red Devils have suffered massively due to the striker situation this season. The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo forced them to sign Wout Weghorst in the January window. The Dutch loanee has scored only two goals for the English club whereas Anthony Martial has spent most of his time on the sidelines.

According to Globo (via Man Utd News), Manchester United have contacted the entourage of Athletico Paranaense centre-forward Vitor Roque over a potential summer move to Old Trafford. Both parties are seeking a transfer in the upcoming window.

Earlier, Barcelona were being touted as the frontrunners to sign the player. However, his agents were in London to discuss a possible move with interested Premier League clubs. The Brazilian outlet added that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race to sign Vitor Roque.

🚨🇧🇷 – JUST IN: Vitor Roque’s camp have met with Manchester United to discuss terms. #MUFC [@LucaBendoni] pic.twitter.com/9Coiq85WRf

— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) April 4, 2023

The 18-year-old forward still has a contract with the Brazilian club till the summer of 2027. Paranaense wants at least €42 million to part ways with their boy wonder. Roque is a right-footed striker who is also capable of playing as a right-winger. The youngster has himself mentioned that he has a similar playing style to that of Luis Suarez.

Should Manchester United Sign Vitor Roque For The Long Term?

As established previously, the Red Devils do need to sign a striker for the future – a striker who will be able to score week in and week out. Martial is not as reliable as he once was in terms of fitness. On the other hand, Weghorst provides the work rate but is not as prolific a striker as one should be. A good centre-forward can elevate the team instantly by turning half-chances into goals.

However, signing the Brazilian wonderkid will not solve their problem for the next season or the season after that. Considering he is only 18-years-old, United will have to develop him by loaning him out to other clubs. The Red Devils are currently dealing with Amad Diallo in the same manner. Amad is flying high while playing on loan at Sunderland, scoring goals for fun.

Although signing a striker for the future does make sense, United should prioritise a first-team striker for the next season. Some big investments will be needed to balance out the first-team. If the funds permit, then Manchester United could bring in Vitor Roque as a long-term project. However, this transfer demands €42 million and the English are already dealing with Diallo being a highly-paid loan subject.

Moreover, the Red Devils also should avoid spending large on an extremely long-term project as they already have some bright talents in their youth academy. If Erik ten Hag does feel the need to include a teenage striker in the squad, he can have a look at the United academy. They possess the talents of Charlie McNeil and Joe Hugill if the situation demands it.

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