Vitor Roque rejected an offer from Manchester City to join Barcelona in a move from Athletico Paranaense.
That is according to Onze.
So, what was said about Vitor Roque and Manchester City? Let’s take a look…
Vitor Roque rejected Manchester City
Well, Barcelona signed the Brazil international in a €40m (£34m) deal back in July – and have only just welcomed him to Catalonia this month.
After Roque made his first two appearances for the Spanish giants, journalist Xavi Torres has told the Esport3 program Onze that Manchester City actually missed out on the South American.
SPORT quote the journalist as saying: “City went to look for Vitor Roque and they offered him much more money than Barca. It was the player who said, thank you, but I prefer Barca.”
Now, we would take that with a pinch of salt.
Manchester City have no need for a striker with Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez already at the Etihad Stadium, so we hold doubts about Txiki Begiristain getting involved in a £34m transfer battle with Barcelona over Roque.
Manchester City could sign other South American talents
We are not doubting whether Roque was on Manchester City’s radar – Begiristain seems very attentive to the South American market right now amid the signing of Claudio Echeverri from River Plate.
We just doubt that Manchester City actually made an offer to sign the 18-year-old before Barcelona sealed a deal.
Regardless of whether that claim from Torres is true or not, we wouldn’t be surprised if Manchester City sign some other talents from South American in addition to Echeverri.
A story from 90min claimed that the Citizens are confident about signing Ian Subiabre and Agustin Ruberto from River Plate as well.
Be sure to keep an eye out for developments on the Argentinian duo, as Manchester City believe they are well placed to sign them.
