Aston Villa ‘make contact’ to hijack Arsenal transfer as Wolves ‘enter talks’ with £35m star

Aston Villa have joined a whole host of clubs in the Premier League and across Europe in the chase for wonderkid forward Vitor Roque, according to reports in Brazil. The Villans are said to have already made contact with the entourage of Roque’s current club, Atletico Paranaense, in a bid to bring him to Villa Park.

The 18-year-old has built up quite a reputation in a short space of time having contributed 11 goals and three assists in 41 matches for Paranaense. Such is the hype around Roque’s potential, he has already made one appearance for Brazil’s senior international squad – off the bench in a 2-1 defeat at Morocco last month.

According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, Villa are one of multiple clubs to have made direct contact with Roque’s representatives. Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are other teams said to be in the race.

Roque won’t come on the cheap with so much competition, however, as Paranaense are said to be eager to get over €42 million for his signature. That would make the teenager the third-most expensive Brazilian Serie A departure in history, behind Neymar (€88 million) and Vinicius Junior (€45 million).

Roque can play on either wing or as a centre forward, though he’s fairly short at 5ft 7in. This versatility will likely excite Unai Emery as he still wants to bring in a winger with a “wide range of characteristics” to add to his options amid a push for Europe next season.

Meanwhile, Wolves enter talks with £35 million ace

In other West Midlands transfer news, Villa’s local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be trying to tie down star man Ruben Neves to a new contract. Julen Lopetegui is reportedly attempting to fend off interest in the midfielder from elsewhere by offering an improved deal.

Neves, who arrived at Molineux from Porto in 2017 for around £16 million, has been a key player since his first day at the club. First helping Wolves to promotion to the Premier League and then guiding them to European football, the Portuguese has been an almighty servant.

Having already impressed the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona, Neves is unlikely to want to stay with a relegation-fighting Wolves side, but Wanderers are doing their best to try and convince him nonetheless. The 26-year-old has a market value of around £35 million with 18 months left on his current deal.