The Brazilian "Palmeiras Pipeline" at Stamford Bridge is flowing once again. On Thursday, December 25, 2025, reports from Sky Sports Switzerland and Sacha Tavolieri confirmed that Chelsea are actively "working on" a high-profile deal to sign Vitor Roque in the January 2026 window.
After a difficult stint at Barcelona, the 20-year-old striker—nicknamed Tigrinho—has completely revitalized his career in his homeland, leading to a fierce battle between Chelsea and Manchester United for his signature.
The "Palmeiras Reset": From Barca Flop to MVP
Vitor Roque’s return to Brazil has been nothing short of spectacular. Since joining Palmeiras in February 2025 for roughly €25m, he has looked like a different player.
The Numbers: Roque has exploded for 20 goals in all competitions during the 2025 Brazilian season, finishing as one of the top scorers in the Brasileirão.
The MVP Status: His performances earned him the league’s MVP award, proving that his struggles at Barcelona were a matter of tactical fit and confidence rather than a lack of talent.
The Quote: Speaking in November, Roque made his intentions clear: "God willing, I'll continue doing my job at Palmeiras... and in the future, I'll return to Europe."
Why Chelsea are the Favorites
While Manchester United (under Ruben Amorim) are also monitoring the situation, Chelsea are reportedly "much more concrete" in their approach for several strategic reasons:
The André Cury Connection: Roque is represented by Link Sports, the agency founded by André Cury. Cury has a deep working relationship with Chelsea, having been the architect of the deal that brought Estêvão Willian to the Bridge.
The Estêvão Factor: Chelsea believe that pairing Roque with his Palmeiras teammate Estêvão Willian in London would accelerate the adaptation process for both youngsters.
The Fee: Palmeiras are expected to hold out for a package worth at least €50 million (£44m). While steep, Chelsea view this as a long-term investment in a striker who has already proven he can handle the pressure of elite football.
The "Striker Logjam" Question
If Chelsea finalizes the deal, Enzo Maresca faces a major selection headache.
The Current Crop: The Blues already have João Pedro and Liam Delap leading the line, with Marc Guiu as backup.
The Tactical Shift: Reports suggest that if Roque arrives, João Pedro could be dropped into a deeper #10 role, allowing Roque to play as the focal point.
Outgoings: The arrival of a new striker almost certainly signals the end for Nicolas Jackson, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich and is reportedly being targeted for a permanent sale to Newcastle or Aston Villa in 2026.
The Verdict: Chelsea are leveraging their strong ties to Palmeiras to ensure they don't miss out on South America's most in-form striker for a second time. If the "André Cury bridge" holds firm, Vitor Roque could be a Blue by the first week of January.