A Cruzeiro youth product, 18-year-old Vitor Roque joined Athletico Paranaense in 2022 - and has looked right at home with the Rubro-Negro.

The forward is excelling. He  emerged as the outstanding ‘rookie’ in last year's Copa Libertadores, as Paranaense finished as runners-up.

In February, he starred in Brazil’s South American Under-20 Championship triumph, finishing as joint-top scorer with six goals in eight games.

And in March, the teenager made history as the youngest debutant for Brazil’s senior side since Ronaldo Nazário made his breakthrough.

Barcelona are keeping very close tabs on Vitor Roque. They’ve had a €25-million bid rejected, with Paranaense holding out for at least double that.

The player himself certainly isn’t shying away from a potential Barça move. “They’re a huge club - every kid dreams of plying their trade there,” he says.

But the Blaugrana aren’t Vitor Roque’s only suitor. Arsenal and Chelsea are also targeting the Brazilian, with the Gunners particularly interested.

A forward who tends to cut in from  the wing, he slices through defences with ease, thanks largely to his talent for beating players one on one.

He is strong with either foot: last season, he scored the same  number of goals with his right as he  did with his left (five each).