6 months ago
99 A number of Premier League clubs have been alerted to the potential availability of Barcelona starlet Vitor Roque, TBR Football understands.
The teenage forward arrived in January from Athletico Paranaense after Barcelona sealed a deal in the summer of 2023.
Barca beat a host of clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to Roque’s signature – which cost them £52million.
However, Roque’s arrival has been a quiet one and he has started just two league games, resulting in just two goals.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham offered Vitor Roque
Now, despite being less than six months into his time in Spain – TBR understands that Barcelona have informed the player that he ‘could’ be available for loan this summer.
With that, TBR has been informed that intermediaries have reached out to a number of teams in England – including his former suitors Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, who have both been keeping abreast of his situation since he arrived in England.
Indeed, it is understood that Liverpool, Aston Villa, Newcastle, West Ham and Brighton have all been approached to inform them that Roque could be available.
Roque’s situation has also been discussed by his agent over the weekend and he has made it clear the young South American is not happy and he did not hold back in his condemnation of head coach Xavi.
Speaking to Catalan based RAC1, however, his agent Andre Cury stated: “Everyone thinks that Vitor Roque has to get more minutes and nobody understands why the coach doesn’t give them to him.
“Xavi has never spoken to the player. I don’t understand this situation and I don’t think it’s good for either side.
“I’ve told the boy that what he has to do is work even harder and wait for the opportunity, but I’ve also watched [when there have been] games to give him minutes and prominence and thus avoid this unpleasant situation.
“I’ve already talked to [Sporting Director] Deco,” Cury revealed.
“The boy has a contract with Barca and we chose Barca instead of other options where we could earn twice as much money. I’m sure that Vitor Roque will be a great player, but if Barca don’t let him [play], the club or the coach, I don’t know what’s going on internally, we’ll look for another way.”
Agent does not want loan deal
TBR understands that the player’s camp have been made aware of Barca’s plan to loan him, but they are not happy and Cury was quick to insist that he did not see that as a viable option.
“We don’t want a loan. If the club decides he can’t stay, he’ll be sold,” he insisted.
“There are many teams interested in Vitor Roque. If the club doesn’t give Vitor space, we’ll have to look at a solution. Either he stays or he leaves in a transfer, not a loan.
“If he goes to another team that doesn’t own him, it’s very dangerous for the boy’s career. The best thing would be to stay at Barca, but if he can’t stay we will work for a transfer.”
