Barcelona have recently freed up around €9 million in Financial Fair Play margin by sanctioning the sale of Franck Kessie. They are expected to balance the books further by releasing Ousmane Dembele to Paris Saint-Germain.
In the midst of such sales, many expect Barcelona to register their new signings. This led to raised hopes of the club being able to register Vitor Roque this summer.
No chance of Roque joining this summer
Barcelona have recently freed up around €9 million in Financial Fair Play margin by sanctioning the sale of Franck Kessie. They are expected to balance the books further by releasing Ousmane Dembele to Paris Saint-Germain.
In the midst of such sales, many expect Barcelona to register their new signings. This led to raised hopes of the club being able to register Vitor Roque this summer.
No chance of Roque joining this summer
Speaking to Fabrizio Romano, Athletico Paranaense CEO Alexandre Mattos has confirmed that Vitor Roque won’t be joining Barcelona this summer.
“There’s no chance for Vitor Roque to leave and join Barça in August,” Mattos said. “He will leave in January, that was the pact with Barça and it will be respected.” Mattos’ comments back up a report earlier this month, which claimed that Athletico PR want to keep hold of Vitor in order to qualify for Copa Libertadores.
“We need him for the final 20 games and to qualify for Copa Libertadores 2024,” Mattos added.
Big blow for Barcelona?
Vitor has racked up eight goals in just 17 games in the 2023 edition of Brazilian Serie A so far. He also netted four goals in Copa Libertadores 2023, though the club were knocked out in the last 16 stage. The Brazilian not joining Barcelona this summer, therefore, could indeed prove to be a big blow for the club.
That said, the Catalans are trying to bring in new attackers from the market. They have targeted a few exciting options including Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva. The club have also yet to rule out the return of Neymar, whose potential addition can help Barça replenish their strikeforce going into the new season.
