Chelsea and Man United set to battle in the race to sign Brazilian forward – Report | OneFootball

Roque’s Renaissance and Premier League Interest

Football sometimes feels like a giant stage where scripts are torn up and rewritten in real time, and Vitor Roque is delivering one of the season’s most compelling plot twists. After struggling to leave his mark in Spain, first at Barcelona and then at Real Betis, the 19-year-old striker has exploded back to life in Brazil. As Mundo Deportivo highlighted, his resurgence at Palmeiras has reignited elite European interest, and one club in particular looks determined to bring him back across the Atlantic.

Palpable Progress in Brazil

Once described as a player who “left barely a trace during his time in Spain”, Roque has rediscovered his sharp edge with Palmeiras. His tally of 13 goals and three assists, with eight league matches still remaining, reflects efficiency and confidence that had briefly deserted him. His contribution runs deeper than statistics, with the report noting that “his influence in the team’s buildup play has become indispensable”. That kind of line would make any recruitment department lean forward.

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Roque himself may not have expected his name to dominate headlines again so soon, yet he has turned sentiment around with relentless work, composed finishing and improved link-up play. In Brazil, “Tigrinho” looks fearless, hunting space, bullying defenders and playing with the swagger of a talent reborn.

Premier League Giants Circle

Mundo Deportivo cite Sports Illustrated in reporting that Manchester United are prepared to offer “a staggering €50 million” for Roque. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also appear keen, meaning the January window could become an early-season battleground. United’s interest stands out, not least because the club still sit eighth in the Premier League table, despite signs of progress. There is a sense of urgency around Old Trafford, where the search for a long-term, dynamic centre-forward option continues.

One source close to talks is said to have remarked that United view Roque as “a future focal point and a player with the mentality to thrive under pressure”. For a side rebuilding ambition, youth and explosiveness hold real value.

Timing of the Move

The key question is whether a transfer materialises in January. Palmeiras would prefer to retain their striker through their title run, while European suitors may wish to strike before competition intensifies. Roque’s camp reportedly see this as a chance for redemption in Europe, and the player has privately expressed a desire to “prove that my time in Spain did not reflect who I am as a footballer”.

For United and others, this is not just scouting potential, but recognising momentum. A striker with confidence rising like stadium floodlights at dusk is hard to ignore.

Our View, EPL Index Analysis

Manchester United supporters will feel a mix of curiosity and cautious excitement reading this report. Ruben Amorim is into his second season at Old Trafford, and while the team have shown steps forward, there remains a clear need for a clinical, mobile focal point who can stretch defences and press intelligently. Roque’s profile aligns with this vision. He thrives in transition, he battles defenders with aggression and he looks hungry to succeed, traits that fans expect from a United number nine.

At the same time, supporters who remember big-money gambles going wrong will demand clarity. If United invest €50 million, they want assurance that this is not another case of raw potential without a defined role. Amorim’s structure would suit Roque, with space to burst into and wide players who enjoy vertical passing. It is tempting to imagine him combining with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, adding cutting edge where United occasionally fade in tight matches.

January or summer, one truth feels apparent. If United truly believe Roque represents the future, they should act decisively and back Amorim’s long-term plan. For the first time in a while, this feels like a potential signing with logic, upside and storyline appeal.