- 16 hours ago
Vitor Roque exit taking shape as Barcelona eye ex-Real Madrid star
Tom Weber
- Updated: 8 Jun 2024 17:57 BST
- 2 min read
Barcelona are interested in Getafe striker Borja Mayoral, according to Spanish media.
The Blaugrana are facing a massive Vitor Roque problem. Initially planned to arrive this summer, the Brazilian wonderkid's highly-anticipated Barcelona transfer was brought forward and he joined up with the Catalans in late December.
However, then-head coach Xavi clearly didn't rate the striker, or at least didn't deem him ready to feature prominently, and the 19-year-old spent most of the second half of the LaLiga season on the bench following the resurgence of Robert Lewandowski.
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This, naturally, irritated the Brazil international, who had been in the frame for his senior national team only to eventually be outshone by Real Madrid-bound Endrick. In early May, Roque's agent went public with a bombshell announcement, insisting that he the teenager would consider his options unless given guarantees that he will feature prominently next season.
STATS
Borja Mayoral
F (RL), AM (C)
Getafe
Borja Mayoral
F (RL), AM (C)
Getafe
Barca eye Mayoral
Fast forward a month and Xavi has since been sacked and replaced by Hansi Flick. However, despite the club legend's exit, it is not yet clear what his replacement's opinion of Roque is.
Therefore, Barcelona have begun succession planning, though they are unlikely to sanction a permanent departure of the boyhood Blaugrana fan. They could nevertheless add a striker this summer.
According to AS, Barcelona are keen to strengthen their side with Real Madrid academy product Borja Mayoral if Roque leaves on loan in the next few weeks.
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Mayoral left Los Blancos after 15 years and six loans in 2022, having made a grand total of 33 senior appearances for the LaLiga champions. Since joining Getafe, however, Mayoral has fared better and he finished the bygone campaign as the joint-best Spanish scorer in the division with 15 goals.
The above-mentioned report only states that Barcelona's management 'like' Mayoral. No potential valuation or release clause is mentioned. Mayoral's good form earned him a spot on Spain's preliminary list for Euro 2024, but he ultimately missed out due to an injury.
