Barcelona line-up move for Nigerian attacker if Plan-A doesn’t work

Barcelona’s pursuit of Brazilian striker Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense has hit a snag, as the club’s Financial Fair Play situation is creating uncertainty over their ability to fund a move for the 18-year-old.

While Roque has publicly expressed his interest in joining the Catalan giants, he may not be willing to wait indefinitely for the situation to be resolved. This has put Arsenal and Chelsea in a better position to sign the teenage sensation.

Despite this setback, Barça’s director Mateu Alemany is not resting on his laurels and has instructed scouts to identify alternative targets for Roque. One such option that has emerged on their radar is KAA Gent’s Gift Orban, a 20-year-old Nigerian striker who has been in sensational form since joining the Belgian club in January.

Orban has scored an impressive 14 goals in 14 games across all competitions for Gent, including five strikes in the UEFA Europa Conference League. His remarkable performance has attracted the attention of several European clubs, including Barcelona, who reportedly see him as a potential Plan B if they fail to secure Roque’s signature.

It is worth noting that Gent signed Orban for a modest fee of €3.5 million in January, making his potential sale a lucrative prospect for the Belgian club.