Although FC Barcelona are currently fully focused on the signings of Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, another matter that they will have to resolve as soon as possible is that of Vitor Roque.
The Brazilian has been unable to impress the new Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, and the Catalans are now looking to offload him in this transfer window.
The club wants the striker to leave on loan so he can get acclimatized to European football and leave the space that he is taking in the club’s wage bill. But as the end of the transfer window gets nearer, the Blaugranes are also opening up to the idea of a full sale.
However, if they are to take the second route, Barcelona would want to recoup the €30 million they paid for him last summer. The only possible way to do this was to sell him to the Saudi side Al-Hilal. Meanwhile, another €20 million proposal has also arrived from the Italian side Lazio for 50% of the player’s rights.
Thus, Barcelona would naturally want Roque to join Al-Hilal, but according to a report from SPORT, the player has already rejected a move to the Saudi side for now, but would be happy to undertake a move to Lazio as he wants to remain in Europe.
Meanwhile, the Catalans also have several options from Spain to send him on a loan. Real Betis and Valencia are among the sides who have shown an interest in him, while the Portuguese side Porto is also bidding for him.
However, Barcelona believe that the option of a loan would be too risky, as it can jeopardize their entire investment if a loan stint ends in failure. A final decision regarding his future is expected to be made after the end of the USA tour, and can also lead to significant tension between Roque’s entourage and Barcelona.
