Personal terms agreed: Manchester United have tabled stunning bid to land £60m sensational,deal to be signed over night – announcement tomorrow morning
Manchester United have made an initial bid of £29.6 million for Vitor Roque, but Barcelona are holding out for a sum closer to £50 million, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Red Devils are actively seeking a new striker, with manager Erik ten Hag having openly expressed his desire for an additional attacking option. In April, Ten Hag stated in an interview with Eurosport that having more options and double coverage in every position is crucial. He highlighted the lack of depth in the striker and left-back positions as detrimental to the team’s performance.
With Anthony Martial departing as a free agent, Manchester United now only have Rasmus Hojlund as their sole natural striker. However, Hojlund has faced several fitness issues, and Marcus Rashford, occasionally used as a striker, has recently struggled with form.
Identifying Roque as a potential reinforcement, Manchester United submitted an offer just under £30 million. However, the Manchester Evening News reports that Barcelona rejected this bid, demanding closer to £50 million, which is the amount they paid Atletico Paranaense for Roque’s transfer.
Roque, a 19-year-old forward, had a promising start at Barcelona, scoring twice in his first five La Liga appearances. However, his form and playing time declined significantly afterward. Despite Xavi’s departure as Barcelona’s coach, Roque may still be deemed surplus to requirements due to the club’s severe financial constraints.
Ten Hag has been allocated a £140 million budget for the summer transfer window, but it remains uncertain whether Manchester United will meet Barcelona’s asking price for Roque. The teenager is considered one of the most promising young talents globally, yet there is a considerable gap between Barcelona’s and United’s valuation of him.
Therefore, Manchester United would need to nearly double their initial offer if they are serious about acquiring Roque. While securing a new striker is a priority for Ten Hag, he may hesitate to spend a large portion of his budget on a relatively inexperienced player, especially when there is time to explore alternative options.
Among the alternatives, Brentford’s Ivan Toney has been linked with a potential move to Old Trafford. It wouldn’t be surprising if United opted for a more experienced striker to complement the youthful potential of Hojlund, ensuring a balanced and robust attacking lineup for the upcoming season.
