Barcelona set transfer stance as Man Utd pursue €40m wonderkid

Cameron Smith

• 7 May 2024 17:30 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are open to loaning out Vitor Roque, but they don’t plan on selling the Brazilian wonderkid, according to reports in Spain.

Roque, 19, joined the Blaugrana from Athletico Paranaense for €40 million in January, however he has only racked up 310 first-team minutes since arriving at the club, and an exit has already been touted as a possibility.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for the teenager, amid his uncertain future at Camp Nou, while Roque’s agent, Andre Cury, is not happy with how his client has been treated following his move to Barcelona.

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

Cury recently told radio station RAC1: “Vitor will not leave on loan. If he leaves, it will be on permanent transfer.

“No one understands why Xavi doesn't play him and doesn't even speak to Vitor. This is not right. We will discuss his future with Barca soon.”

READ MORE: Forget Branthwaite! The solution to Man Utd's woes plays in the Bundesliga

Vitor Roque to leave Barcelona?

Despite Cury’s ultimatum, Barcelona don’t want to offload Roque on a permanent deal, according to Matteo Moretto.

The Spanish journalist told FootballEspana: “It’s a problem that is not 100% clear right now, and all parties are going to focus on reaching a decision on what to do this summer.

"His agent Andre Cury, after his comments on Catalan radio, will have fresh contacts with Barcelona to establish the best course of action.

“It’s clear that Xavi Hernandez does not see him [Roque] as an option to play regularly as things stand, and is not making life as easy as it might be for him at Barcelona.

“There are a multitude of teams that are enquiring about him for a loan deal, a lot of Spanish teams, but also sides from abroad.

“I know his agent Cury has a very good relationship with Manchester United, that much is true, as well as one or two other sides in the Premier League.

“Barcelona, in theory, they have just signed him, he’s a signing for the future, so they don’t want to transfer him.

“For them, clearly, a loan deal could be best, but as we’ve seen, Cury has said that they are not open to that. There will be a lot more talks down the line about Roque’s future.”