Barcelona kick young attacker out of club amid Everton links

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 17 Aug 2024 12:18 BST
4 min read

Vitor Roque, Barcelona, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Barcelona attacker Vitor Roque has been left out of the squad for the club's forthcoming game against Valencia.

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Spanish outlet AS reports that the 19-year-old is no longer a part of the current team and they have even not registered him for the 2024/25 season.

Head coach Hansi Flick did not include the Brazilian striker in the squad for the match at Mestalla and it's thought his future lies 'far away from Barcelona'. Another notable absence is Dani Olmo, who is not yet fully fit following his move from RB Leipzig this summer.

Barcelona need to offload players before making any new signings. The young Brazilian striker, frustrated with his role as a backup, is eager for a summer exit. It's thought that Barcelona hope to generate at least €30 million from his sale.

This money will be used for the acquisition of a left winger. Athletic Club's Nico Williams is their top target, however, with a deadline of August 24 looming over his potential transfer, it seems increasingly likely that the Spain international will remain in Bilbao for another season.

Current ETV

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€26.4M - €43.9M

For Roque, a move from the Camp Nou is on the horizon just six months after the club signed him for €40 million from Athletico Paranaense.

The striker was not favoured by then-coach Xavi and was subsequently left on the bench for most of last season.

Initially, his lack of minutes was put down to the fact that Xavi believed the teenager wasn't yet ready, but it is now clear that the Barcelona brass think that they would be better off selling him to recoup most of their original outlay in a bid to be able to do more business after signing Dani Olmo for €62m.

Everton want Roque

According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, Everton put in an opening offer for Roque worth €25m upfront and an additional €3m in bonuses.

This proposal was, however, swiftly rejected by Barcelona, with the journalist claiming that the Catalan giants are demanding €30m-€35m, which means that they are prepared to make a loss on the Brazilian.

It remains to be seen if other clubs will enter the race. Lazio have been linked but little concrete has materialised on that front. Roque reportedly received dozens of inquiries, including from the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea, when he was made available for transfer.