ARSENAL are set to miss out on Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque as he has stated his desire to join Barcelona.
The Spanish giants have been leading the race for the Athletico Paranaense forward, who turned 18 on Tuesday.
APBrazil’s Vitor Roque score six goals at the U20 South American Championship[/caption]
He has made 37 appearances for Paranaense, contributing seven goals and three assists.
On top of his club form, he has bagged six goals in 11 appearances for Brazil‘s U20s – all of which came at the South American championships earlier this year.
Arsenal are among a host of other clubs chasing his signature, including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle.
However, it now seems unlikely he will move anywhere but the Nou Camp after recent remarks about the Catalan club and striker Robert Lewandowski.
Speaking to Sport, he said: “I feel ready to make the move to Barcelona, of course. It would be amazing to play with Lewandowski.
“Barcelona is a dream. If I end up there, it will be a great joy for my family and me. It’d be a fantastic move.”
Known as ‘Tigrinho’ – or ‘Little Tiger’ – in Brazil, Roque has already been likened to legendary striker Ronaldo and Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez.
And he is not expected to go cheaply as his Paranaense contract contains a £53million release clause.
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Former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is now technical director for Paranaense, has made it clear Roque is set to leave.
The 74-year-old said: “Vitor will probably be sold.
“He’s 17 years old and has a lot to learn on the pitch. But he’s been playing in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores since he was 16.”