Arsenal to beat Barcelona to sign 'the Brazilian Aguero': report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds their fans after the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England
(Image credit: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Arsenal are in pole position to sign a Brazilian youngster compared to the legendary Sergio Aguero.

The Gunners have a Brazilian contingent at the club already, with iconic Invincible and sporting director Edu Gaspar overseeing the transfer policy. Last summer, Arsenal added Gabriel Jesus and youngster Marquinhos to their ranks to extend a Brazilian core that already boasts defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli.

With Edu having strong contacts back in his home country, it's possible that the Gunners could add more samba stars this summer, with one particularly exciting talent being linked for a big move. 

Arsenal Director of Football Edu before the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Bournemouth, England.

Arsenal Director of Football Edu has overseen an influx of Brazilian stars arriving in north London (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

TEAMtalk are reporting that deadly teenage striker Vitor Roque is available for sale this summer, since his employers, Athletico Paranaense, can no longer afford to keep him.

Barcelona were thought to be leading the race – but this has since been denied by a club director, who told Globo Esporte, "There’s absolutely nothing to [the rumours] except the pain of people saying that 'he’s sold', that 'Barcelona want him'."

With Barcelona in financial difficulty, TEAMtalk says that they could put a move for Roque on the back burner. There are other moves that the Catalan giants need to make this summer in order to strengthen – and bringing a teenager to Europe won't be a priority.

Breaking The Lines have previously made comparisons between Roque and Argentine legend Sergio Aguero for their similar stature and movement within the box. Roque can operate out wide, too, and is regarded alongside the likes of Marcos Leonardo and Endrick as one of the most exciting teenagers in Brazil right now.

Vitor Roque of Athletico-PR celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during a Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2022 quarter final second leg match between Estudiantes and Athletico Paranaense at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium on August 11, 2022 in La Plata, Argentina.

Vitor Roque is a highly-rated talent in Brazil (Image credit: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Arsenal are believed to be in the market for a physical forward this summer, sparking rumours that on-loan Hale Ender, Folarin Balogun, could depart the club.

Roque is valued at €40 million by Transfermarkt.

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Ray Parlour says that since football moves in cycles, the next era of dominance in the Premier League could well belong to Arsenal.

Andre Onana is being rumoured for Arsenal's midfield, Bundesliga star Djibril Sow and Dusan Vlahovic have been touted, while existing players are said to be on the cusp of exits. Folarin Balogun is one, being linked with AC Milan.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.