Barcelona new signing received €100m offers from Man United, Tottenham, reveals agent

On Wednesday afternoon, Barcelona confirmed the signing of Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, revealing that the striker will be arriving at the club ahead of the 2024/25 season, and signing a long-term contract until 2031.

Roque joins Barcelona in a deal worth €30 million fixed fees plus another €31 million in add-ons. As iterated earlier, his arrival is slated for next season but the La Liga champions will make efforts to try and bring him in January 2024 or this summer itself, with the situation depending on FFP.

Prior to Barça signing Roque, though, the 18-year-old was subjected to strong interest from clubs in the Premier League, with the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham attempting to hijack the deal.

And the same has now been confirmed by Roque’s agent, Andre Cury, who claims that United and Tottenham offered close to €100 million for the teenage sensation, but he always had his heart set on a move to Barcelona.

Speaking on the Charla Podcast, Cury said: “We received much bigger offers from Tottenham and Manchester United for Vitor Roque. It was over €100 million.

“But his career plan is well mapped out and we opted for Barcelona. The moment is not to look at the money but the career.”

In a separate interview with RAC1, Cury further stressed that Roque arrives at Barça with less favourable economic conditions than what he could have received at other clubs, but added that the youngster is excited about the move.

“We are very excited for Vítor to come to Barça. We are coming to Barcelona in less favorable economic conditions but with excitement,” he said.

“There were much better offers from England and France, but Barça was always on top. He comes to Barcelona earning much less money, but he’s ready to succeed.”

Confirming the transfer fee Barcelona are paying for Roque, Cury said: “The operation is very good for Barça. It has been completed for €30 million fixed, plus €31 million in variables. If these are fulfiled, Barça will be happy to pay this money.”

Cury also stressed how Deco played a key role in the operation, saying: “Deco has been key to the operation. There were options to try to bring other players, but he has always believed that the right player was Vítor Roque.”

Cury was a former employee of Barcelona and revealed that even though he is no longer on the club’s payroll, he remains a Culer and wants to help them in any way possible.

“I haven’t had a working relationship with the club since 2020. But I’m not hiding, I’m a Culer and I want to help the club. I won’t do it again working for Barça. I want to help, but in a different way,” he said.

There has been chat about Barça being offered the services of Neymar this summer. Giving his two cents about that, Cury said:

“Neymar made a mistake when he left Barça. I told him 100 times not to leave. In 2019 he tried to come back in every way and we almost reached an agreement with PSG. Now I don’t know what the situation is.”

In another interview with El Larguero, Cury revealed that Roque could end up joining Barcelona in January 2024, saying: “In principle, Roque will join Barça in January.”