Why Barcelona’s Vitor Roque holds the key to the transfer window for Arsenal and Liverpool

Barcelona striker Vitor Roque could hold the key to the summer transfer window for Arsenal and Liverpool as well as the Blaugrana.

With a couple of weeks of the window remaining, there are several clubs stuck in a holding pattern as they seek to raise the type of money required to make signings. One domino could trigger a landslide, and Vitor Roque may just be the man to do it.

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From Barcelona’s perspective, they need to make sales before they can buy anyone. The young Brazilian striker has rapidly grown restless with his role as a backup player in the squad and is pushing for a summer exit. Barca hope to raise at least €30 million from his sale.

In turn, this money would go towards the Camp Nou side buying a left winger. Nico Williams of Athletic Club is their chief priority, but with an artificial deadline of 24 August placed on his transfer, the very probable likelihood is that he remains in Bilbao for another year.

Barcelona already have a solution, though. They will turn towards Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, who they believe wants to join them. The drawback? The Reds want €55-60m for the player. In order to stand a chance of signing him, Vitor Roque must go.

Roque opens door for Gyokeres?

Sporting CP have opened talks with Barcelona over the Brazilian teenager, according to reports.

This is an exciting development for Arsenal, who have been following Lisbon-based striker Viktor Gyokeres for many months. FootballTransfers first revealed the Gunners’ interest in the Sweden striker in March, and while their admiration persists, a deal has been impossible due to Sporting’s asking price in excess of €100m.

In opening talks for Vitor Roque, though, it suggests that movements are being made in the background that could see Gyokeres depart the club – with Arsenal his most prominent suitor.

In short, the 19-year-old Barcelona striker could allow Gyokeres to complete a transfer to Arsenal, Diaz to make a move to Camp Nou he has previously described as a “dream” and Liverpool to fund a replacement in the mould new manager Arne Slot desires.

Rarely has the success of a transfer window for so many big clubs balanced on the shoulders of just one man.