Athletico Paranaense striker Vitor Roque says he doesn’t have a “preferred club” that he would like to sign for.

Barcelona have been made heavy favourites to snap up the Brazilian youth international in the Spanish media, despite the player also being linked with Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal. When asked about his future, the teenager replied:

“I try to focus more on the present than on the future, because today is more important than tomorrow. My destiny is in the hands of God, so I continue working with humility. My future will be a result of today’s work. I try not to focus on what happens off the pitch. I don’t have a preferred club, so I let it be. I think that the present with the Paranaense is more important right now for me.”

From the sound of things, Roque has not ruled out a transfer to any team at this stage, which should give Newcastle encouragement about making an approach for the forward.

The 18-year-old is believed to have a €60m (£53m) release clause and it seems that the Magpies will have to trigger it if they want to secure his signature.

Roque has been compared to both the Brazilian Ronaldo and Luis Suarez by pundits so his potential is massive. Since making his senior debut in 2021, the Brazilian has gone on to make 56 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing four assists.