Vitor Roque pushed to Man Utd and Chelsea as Xavi’s opinion on wonderkid made clear

Robin Bairner

10 May 2024 13:30 BST
3 min read

Vitor Roque, Barcelona, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Vitor Roque stands a very real chance of leaving Barcelona in the summer transfer window just months after arriving at the Camp Nou club in a €40 million deal from Athletico Paranaense.

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The 19-year-old striker chose to move to Barca ahead of the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, but after the deal was rushed through to allow him to arrive in Spain six months before he was due to hook up with the Catalan outfit, his dream move is already showing signs of turning into a nightmare.

Vitor Roque has been scantly used by Xavi. He has featured 13 times but has played only 310 minutes. According to Spanish reports, his technical level in training has been particularly disappointing.

Current ETV

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€27.5M - €45.8M

Andre Cury, the agent of the teenager, has spoken out on numerous occasions, indicating that if Roque does not get the game time he feels he deserves, he is prepared to push for a permanent move.

Now it has been revealed that these pleas are set to fall on deaf ears, with Xavi’s opinion on the player made clear.

“From Xavi's point of view it is clear, Roque has to meet with the club to decide the best course of action, and he doesn't see him as strong option to start or even as obvious alternative up front,” Matteo Moretto writes for Caught Offside.

© IMAGO - Vitor Roque celebrates scoring for Barcelona

© IMAGO - The teenager has had few chances to shine

Transfer options lining up

Although Barcelona have asked the player to remain “calm”, there is a sense that his career at the club already hangs in the balance.

“I've not been informed of any concrete names of teams that have moved for him. As we remarked last week, Cury has a relationship with various English teams, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. But right now, there's no name I can give you that want to sign him permanently right now,” it is added.

“There are a lot of clubs in La Liga that would be delighted to have him on loan this summer.”

Despite Vitor Roque’s apparent unhappiness, he is under contract with Barcelona until 2031, so Xavi’s side hold all the cards in any potential transfer deal.