Vitor Roque: Barcelona Agree Fee to Sell Real Betis Loanee to Palmeiras

Barcelona has reportedly agreed to sell their young striker Vitor Roque to Palmeiras before the Brazilian transfer window closes next week.

This decision comes after a turbulent year for the 19-year-old, who has struggled to establish himself at Barcelona since his high-profile €30 million move from Athletico Paranaense last summer. Vitor Roque’s lack of minutes at Barcelona saw him leave for Real Betis on loan, where he has since made an impact. However, Palmeiras has expressed strong interest in securing the Brazilian striker on a permanent deal, and Barcelona appears ready to let him go if Betis agree to terminate his loan early.

Vitor Roque’s Journey from Barcelona to Real Betis

Vitor Roque’s move to Barcelona in the summer of 2024 was seen as a promising step in his career. After impressing with Athletico Paranaense in Brazil, Barcelona signed the young striker for €30 million, with an additional €31 million in add-ons based on performance-related metrics. However, things did not go as planned for the teenager at the Catalan club.

Despite the hefty price tag, Vitor Roque found himself struggling for minutes under manager Xavi Hernandez. With competition from other established forwards at Barcelona, including Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Roque’s opportunities in the first team were limited. This lack of playing time resulted in Barcelona agreeing to loan him out to Real Betis, a move that was expected to provide Roque with the necessary playing time to develop further.

Real Betis, a club in Spain’s La Liga, brought Vitor Roque in with a loan deal that includes an option to buy him for €25 million. While the deal seemed promising at first, it has since become clear that Betis has yet to make a decision on whether they will exercise the option to sign him permanently. The situation has become complicated, with Palmeiras, one of Brazil’s top clubs, now entering the fray with a strong desire to secure Roque’s signature immediately.

Palmeiras Push for Immediate Deal

While Real Betis has been given the option to purchase Vitor Roque for €25 million, Palmeiras has shown significant interest in bringing the striker back to Brazil. Reports indicate that Palmeiras is willing to pay the full €25 million fee to Barcelona and are keen to finalize the deal before the Brazilian transfer window closes. This presents a dilemma for Barcelona, who must now navigate their relationship with Betis, the club that currently holds Vitor Roque’s loan rights.

Mundo Deportivo has reported that Palmeiras has already indicated their readiness to meet Barcelona’s asking price for Vitor Roque. However, Barcelona can only proceed with the transfer if Betis agrees to terminate the loan early. This request has not been met warmly by Betis, who have expressed their desire to keep Vitor Roque at the club. Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has been clear about his intentions to retain the striker for the remainder of the season.

Pellegrini’s stance is understandable given the timing of the situation. The European transfer window has already closed, meaning that if Betis were to release Vitor Roque, they would be unable to bring in a replacement. Pellegrini has publicly stated that he wants Vitor Roque to continue developing with Betis, and he has reiterated his desire for the player to fulfill his potential at the club.

Betis’ Reluctance to Let Vitor Roque Go

Real Betis’ reluctance to let Vitor Roque leave the club comes down to several key factors. First and foremost, the club’s sporting director, Manu Fajardo, has expressed his belief that Roque can still achieve great things at Betis. Fajardo has mentioned that Vitor Roque’s potential is evident, and the club is committed to providing him with the opportunities he needs to grow as a player.

Secondly, the timing of the request for Vitor Roque’s early return to Barcelona is problematic for Betis. The European transfer window may have closed, but the Brazilian window remains open, which means there is still time for Palmeiras to secure the deal. However, if Betis were to allow Vitor Roque’s departure, they would not be able to sign a replacement forward, leaving them vulnerable in terms of squad depth.

Pellegrini, who has publicly discussed the situation, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Roque’s future but emphasized that the player remains part of the squad for upcoming matches. “He is on the list of those called up and is part of the squad,” said Pellegrini ahead of a match against Getafe. “I cannot say what will happen with his future. The only thing I know about negotiations is from the press. We will see how the issue is resolved.” This statement leaves the door open for Roque’s possible departure but also underlines Pellegrini’s desire to keep him at Betis for the time being.

Barcelona’s Dilemma: Balancing Betis and Palmeiras Interests

Barcelona finds itself in a difficult position. The club has reportedly agreed to sell Vitor Roque to Palmeiras, which would allow them to recoup the €25 million fee for the striker. However, this deal hinges on Betis agreeing to release Roque from his loan. Barcelona is said to be in contact with Betis in an attempt to convince them to terminate the loan early, but Betis’ reluctance to part ways with the player has made negotiations complicated.

Barcelona, for its part, is keen to finalize the deal with Palmeiras, as it would free up some funds that could be reinvested in other areas of the squad. Additionally, Barcelona has already made a significant financial commitment to Roque’s transfer from Athletico Paranaense, and recouping a portion of that fee through a sale to Palmeiras would help alleviate some of the pressure on the club’s finances.

However, Barcelona must balance their desire to sell Roque with the reality that Betis is under no obligation to terminate the loan agreement. While Barcelona has reportedly made their case to Betis, there is no guarantee that the Spanish club will agree to let Roque go. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Betis has already used up their quota of foreign players for the season, making it even more difficult for them to replace Roque with a suitable alternative.

Vitor Roque’s Future: What Happens Next?

As the situation stands, Vitor Roque’s future remains uncertain. Palmeiras is eager to bring the striker to Brazil, offering the full €25 million fee to Barcelona, but Real Betis’ reluctance to terminate the loan could scupper the deal. While Barcelona is pushing for the transfer to go ahead, Betis appears committed to keeping Roque for the remainder of the season.

Roque, who has already been called up to Betis’ squad for an upcoming match against Getafe, has not yet had his future decided. Pellegrini and Fajardo have both spoken publicly about their desire to keep the player at Betis, but whether Barcelona will be able to convince Betis to allow the early termination of the loan remains to be seen.

For now, Roque will continue his stay at Betis, where he has made a significant impact despite limited playing time at Barcelona. If Betis ultimately decides not to sell, Roque will remain with the Andalusian club until the end of the season, at which point his future will be reassessed. For now, Palmeiras will have to wait and see whether they can secure Roque’s signature before the Brazilian transfer window shuts.

Conclusion: A Transfer Saga to Watch

The transfer saga surrounding Vitor Roque is far from over. While Barcelona has agreed to sell the striker to Palmeiras, Betis remains firmly in control of the situation. The next few days will be crucial as negotiations continue, with the Brazilian transfer window set to close soon. Barcelona, Betis, and Palmeiras all have stakes in the outcome, and the resolution of this deal will likely depend on how willing Betis is to part with Vitor Roque. For now, fans of all three clubs will be watching closely as the saga unfolds.