Newcastle United Make €40M Offer for Barcelona’s Vitor Roque
In a bid to strengthen their forward line, Newcastle United have reportedly made a €40 million (£34 million) offer for Barcelona’s young Brazilian striker Vitor Roque, according to sources in Spain. The Magpies are said to be in a “battle” against Lazio for the 19-year-old’s signature.
Roque has emerged as one of the “protagonists” of Barcelona’s summer recruitment drive, as the Catalan club looks to raise funds for new signings before the end of August. However, Barca boss Hansi Flick has expressed doubts about Roque’s “qualities and level” and has recommended the player’s sale.
“While there had been interest from Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian striker has no desire to leave Europe, and now has the option of joining either Newcastle or Lazio.”
The Magpies have “presented an initial offensive,” but Lazio remains the “most likely destination” for Roque, with the Serie A side offering a deal worth around €50 million.
Newcastle’s Transfer Activity
Newcastle have been active in the transfer market this summer, having already made four signings: Lewis Hall, Lloyd Kelly, John Ruddy, and Odysseas Vlachodimos. The Geordies have also seen the departures of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton, respectively.
In other news, Newcastle recently beat Urawa Red Diamonds 4-1 in a pre-season friendly, with a brace from Josh Murphy and further goals from Alexander Isak and Lewis Hall securing the victory. Manager Eddie Howe was particularly pleased with Isak’s performance, stating that the striker “was electric” and that there are areas to improve in his game.
The Magpies are still in the market for a new forward this summer as they look to provide competition for Isak and Callum Wilson, who have both been linked with moves away from the club. However, a more likely option seems to be the signing of Will Osula from Sheffield United, with Newcastle and the Blades agreeing a £10 million fee with another £5 million in potential add-ons.
While personal terms are yet to be agreed, the Sheffield United player is seen as a potential third-choice striker behind Isak and Wilson, with the Magpies believing he has “big headroom for improvement” after his recent performances.
🔗 Source