Real Madrid and Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs involved in a heated four-way race for Athletico Paranaense teenager Vitor Roque.
The 17-year-old earned his breakthrough at senior level with Cruzeiro before making the move to Paranaense in April, and he has enjoyed a quick start to life at his new club.
Roque ended the 2022 season with seven goals and three assists from 36 matches in all tournaments, including five goals from 29 appearances in the Brazilian Serie A.
The youngster's feats helped Paranaense achieve a sixth-placed finish in the division, and he was also a prominent member of their run to the final of the Copa Libertadores.
Roque came up with two goals and two assists in five matches during the knockout stage and started the final against Flamengo, but Paranaense fell to a 1-0 defeat.
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Roque, who has been capped at Under-20 level by Brazil, remains under contract with Paranaense until the summer of 2027, leaving the Brazilian powerhouses in a strong negotiating position.
The striker's emergence has understandably led to glances from top European clubs, though, and AS reports that as many as four teams are battling to secure his services.
Real Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are all rumoured to be keeping a close eye on developments, and Roque will be able to complete a move to Europe when he turns 18 in February.
As a result, interested parties are understood to be eyeing a deal for the upcoming summer transfer window, but they may have to fork out the entirety of Roque's €100m (£87.2m) release clause.
The 2005-born forward's extortionate price tag has supposedly already put Real Madrid at a disadvantage, as Los Blancos are not willing to spend that amount of money on a teenager.
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Furthermore, the Champions League holders have recently concluded a deal for Palmeiras starlet Endrick, who will move to the Bernabeu upon his 18th birthday in 2024.
The 16-year-old was also believed to have been wanted by Barcelona, PSG and Chelsea among others and was even given a tour of the latter's training facilities.
Real Madrid ultimately won the intense battle for Endrick's signature, and Palmeiras could receive a total fee of €72m (£62.8m) for the highly-rated teenager.
Los Blancos will fork out an upfront fee of €35m (£30.5m) plus €25m (£21.8m) in performance-related add-ons and €12m (£10.5m) in taxes, and Endrick has signed a contract until 2027 with the option to extend until 2030.
Ben Knapton
