FC Barcelona released an official statement on 28th February that confirmed the sale of currently on-loan player Vitor Roque to Sao Paulo based club Palmeiras. The news confirmed the rumors of Barcelona wanting to offload the player at the end of the ongoing season. ‘The club wishes him the best of luck and success in the future, both personally and professionally.’ read the official club statement issued yesterday. The final numbers of the deal have also been confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano which stand at a transfer fee of 25.5 million euros, along with 5.5 million euro add-ons and a 20% sell-on clause.
Vitor Roque, who was sent out on loan to Real Betis at the start of this season has played 22 games for the Andalusian outfit, scoring 4 goals and giving 2 assists in the process. Since he made his senior debut in the Brazil National team in March 2023 at the age of 18, he is yet to play another game for the Brazilian squad.
Bad business by Barcelona?
The Brazilian center-forward was brought in by FC Barcelona in the winter transfer window of the 2023/24 season after the signing was confirmed in the summer of 2023 itself. There was a lot of hype around the then 18-year old striker and the money involved in the deal is a reflection of that. The total deal came out 61 million euros approximately including fixed and variable components. Xavi Hernandez who was the manager of Barcelona at that time handed only 2 starts to the youngster. He came off the bench to play on 12 occasions and had a goal tally of just two in the entire season.
Due to a change of management, with Hansi Flick taking over the Blaugrana in the summer of 2024, the future of Vitor Roque looked uncertain. He was loaned out to Real Betis during the summer transfer window as Flick didn’t see him fit into his system and style of play.
