Manchester United hold talks with Barcelona transfer target

Manchester United’s goal-scoring woes might affect Barcelona’s transfer plans, with the Premier League giants reportedly in talks with Vitor Roque.

Barcelona have been monitoring the Brazilian striker’s situation for some time now, as they look for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.

The Poland international scored twice in the Blaugrana’s 4-0 win over Elche, but in the second half of the season, he’s largely been a shadow of his former self. Before his brace over the weekend, Lewandowski had gone five games in a row without scoring.

Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Athletico Paranaense striker has shown he’s ready to take the next step after scoring six goals in eight games for Brazil during the U-20 South American Championships earlier this year. His performances in the competition led to a senior call-up in March where he made his debut in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat against Morocco.

Manchester United Hold Talks With Barcelona Transfer Target Vitor Roque

Roque’s swift rise has attracted the attention of other European powerhouses, making Barcelona’s pursuit more difficult.

According to ge (via utdreport), United have held a meeting with the entourage of Roque. The Red Devils signed Wout Weghorst on loan in January following the mid-season departure of former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. And they are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window as well.

Left-winger Marcus Rashford, who beat Marc-André ter Stegen with a ferocious strike and forced Jules Kounde’s own goal at Camp Nou in the first leg of the Europa League play-off round, has shouldered the lion’s share of the goal-scoring responsibility for the Old Trafford outfit.

If United’s interest is indeed serious, then Barcelona may be forced to look elsewhere. The La Liga leaders are unlikely to compete with the English side financially. It is understood that Paranaense will demand more than €40M for Roque, who’s also highly rated by figures at Chelsea and Arsenal.