Xavi, Deco betting on 18-year-old for Barcelona because of a plethora of reasons

Football always reveres and remembers the great strikers, and rightfully so. It is clear that finishers walk away with a greater share of the credit in any team across the globe.

The 2021/22 campaign for Barcelona was the perfect example of the difference a quality centre-forward can add. The Catalans were languishing on the league standings at the halfway mark, struggling in front of goal despite all their quality in midfield.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival turned things around. The Gabonese striker’s form in front of the goal lifted Barcelona from the trenches and enabled a respectable second-place finish for Xavi Hernandez’s side.

Robert Lewandowski’s arrival further elevated the Catalans’ attack, and the result is visible in their results. The Polish striker’s Pichichi winning run helped the Blaugranas to a special La Liga title by a memorable margin.

It is thus unsurprising that Joan Laporta prioritises the centre-forward position looking ahead into Barcelona’s future.

Of the multiple options on the club’s radar, Vitor Roque is the one selected to lead the team’s attack in the long run.

According to reports from Joaquim Piera of SPORT, Barcelona director Deco and manager Xavi bet on the young Brazilian for a plethora of reasons.

For starters, Roque is highly competitive and possesses great physicality and great pace which fit in well with the manager’s ideologies. Further, the youngster’s tactical acumen and willingness to learn make him the perfect candidate for the long haul.

Beyond that, Roque is a player who not only scores goals but is involved in the build-up play and has the technical ability to construct attacks while his hunger for learning and improving is another reason why Barcelona have been left so impressed.

The Catalans are said to have reached an agreement in principle with Athletico Parananese over the Brazilian’s acquisition. The deal includes a transfer fee of €35 million with an additional €10 coming in variables.

The signing could be finalised in the coming week despite some late hijack attempts from clubs like Manchester United, PSG, and Tottenham.

However, it will be tricky for them to register the striker this summer given their economic situation. For Roque to arrive this summer, it is imperative that Barcelona pioneer a big player sale.