Chelsea will not make it easy for Barcelona in their pursuit of out-of-favour star

Barcelona want Vitor Roque and the player wants to join the Catalan club. However, transactions in football do not run on the currency of admiration.

The Brazilian is one of the most valued young strikers in world football and unsurprisingly has a big price tag attached to his name. Joan Laporta must reach the figure demanded by Athletico Paranaese to sign the prospect but finds his hands tied at the moment.

The Catalans do not have the required financial leeway to incorporate the youngster. In recent hours, it has become evident that teams like Arsenal are ahead of Xavi’s side in Roque’s pursuit.

The next best alternative identified by the Blaugranas is former player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, SPORT report that the Gabonese international will be no easy signing either.

According to the outlet, Chelsea refuse to facilitate the striker’s move to Barcelona. The Premier League side are infuriated with Aubameyang’s recent behaviour. His celebration of the Catalans’ El Clasico win over Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou while still contracted with them did not go down well with the Blues.

Barcelona, however, believe that Graham Potter’s side will change their stance given that the manager does not count on the striker. They will open the doors for his move to Catalonia but it would require some pressuring from Aubameyang.

Since his move to London in the summer, the 33-year-old has played just 12 league games with four starts. He averages just 1 key pass in every five games and scored one goal in that duration.

The former Barcelona player’s passion and love for the club was publicly seen when he joined the team in their post-match celebrations on March 19 after their famous El Clasico win.

Aubameyang is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to move back to Spain and could be important next season as a backup to Robert Lewandowski. But, Chelsea are unlikely to make it easy for the move to go through.