Barcelona handed opportunity to solve €60m transfer problem

Tom Weber

Updated: 11 Feb 2025 12:39 CST
3 min read

Palmeiras are ready to step up their pursuit of Vitor Roque and sign him before the end of the month, according to Brazilian media.

The young striker's troubled stint in Spain has taken a new twist. Signed by Barcelona in a €30 million deal that can rise to €60m, Roque's dream move to Catalunya quickly turned into a nightmare.

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He spent most of the second half of last season sitting on the bench and left the club in the summer to join Real Betis on loan. After a promising start to life in Seville, his fortunes took a turn for the worse and he was all but officially replaced by Cucho Hernandez in January.

This left Barcelona facing the prospect of their big-money investment again being left to rot on the bench, which would have made a lucrative summer sale increasingly difficult.

However, Brazilian club Palmeiras, who have no shortage of funds and have been interested in Roque for a couple of weeks, are now ready to solve Barcelona's dilemma - but they need some help.

Palmeiras step up Roque pursuit

According to UOL, Palmeiras have been made aware of the fact that Roque has fallen down the Real Betis pecking order and are prepared to attempt to sign the 19-year-old.

The problem with this, of course, is that he is currently on the books in Seville rather than Barcelona. The expectation is that Betis would ask for some form of compensation to cut his loan short or at least would require a whole lot of convincing.

Palmeiras have therefore asked Barcelona to explore the option of striking some sort of accord with their LaLiga rivals. The outlet claims that there are 'signs' that a positive resolution can be found.

Palmeiras are awaiting confirmation from Barcelona that Roque is available before proceeding with a potential deal. Should the transfer fall through, the Brazilian club would return for him in the special pre-Club World Cup window in the summer.

The Brazilian winter window is still open until February 28. Meanwhile, however, Mundo Deportivo claims that sources close to Roque and Betis are playing down the chances of the striker departing the Seville club mid-season.