Is it already time for Vitor Roque to quit Barcelona for Man Utd?

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 3 May 2024 17:39 BST
• 4 min read

Vitor Roque may only have been at Barcelona for four months, but the Brazil international sensation is not happy.

Barca rushed through a €40 million deal for the 19-year-old during the January transfer window amid fears over Robert Lewandowski’s form.

Famed for their fearlessness when it comes to giving young players an opportunity, this seemed like a dream chance for Roque to rapidly establish himself in Catalunya after his summer transfer was pulled forward.

READ MORE: Why Ten Hag’s Sancho praise is not all it seems

Current ETV

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

Vitor Roque

F (C)

Barcelona

€36.6M

ETV Range

€27.5M - €45.8M

View full profile

Instead, he has spent much of the season fuming on the bench. He has appeared 13 times for the Blaugrana, scoring two goals, but has played a total of just 310 minutes.

When Barcelona have needed goals, he has been overlooked. He has not played a minute of Champions League football and was notably frozen on the bench as the Blaugrana lost El Clasico 3-2 last month.

With the chips down, Xavi has invariably preferred other options.

READ MORE: Latest Barcelona transfer rumours

The Athletic cites sources who claim “it was quickly obvious that he had improvements to make in terms of technical skill” when he arrived at Barcelona training in January.

Already there have been signs of dissent from the teenager’s camp. He is reportedly unhappy with the coach.

A reprieve seemed to be coming in the summer, but Xavi’s U-turn over his quit decision leaves Vitor Roque facing a first full season in Spain with a boss who does not appear to trust him.

Vitor Roque to Man Utd rumours

Mundo Deportivo has now linked the former Athletico Paranaense striker with four European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window: Manchester United, Napoli, Nice and Lyon have all contacted the player’s agent over a possible move. Sevilla and Real Betis are interested among LaLiga clubs.

But even if the frustration is simmering for Vitor Roque right now, what is his best option? Should he move to Man Utd, a club he rejected in favour of a switch to Barcelona?

According to data analytics firm SciSports, the 19-year-old’s best bet is staying right where he is.

Barcelona are given a Club Fit score of 83, with, ironically, only Real Madrid at 84 offering a better destination for the Brazilian to express his true potential.

The Club Fit score is calculated using a variety of factors from development and playing time to style and formation.

Barca score solidly across the disciplines, with their style and formation scoring better than Los Blancos.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

The Catalans are comfortably better than any of the clubs reportedly interested in their player.

Man Utd would be a particularly awkward fit. The Red Devils get a Club Fit score of 70, with low scores in development and playing time.

The Red Devils’ sister club Nice, meanwhile, register only 64. Where a move to Ligue 1 may be good for the player, though, is in terms of building first-team experience, with Les Aiglons offering five stars in this regard.

In any case, it appears that Vitor Roque’s best option is to tough it out at Barcelona for now.