Brazilian striker casts doubt over Barca future after unexpected absence from training
Pending departure?
Vitor Roque, FC Barcelona’s young Brazilian striker, was the subject of much speculation this Saturday morning, when he did not take part in the Catalan club’s training session. Barça quickly announced that his absence was due to “malaise and fever”, but this explanation was not enough to dispel doubts about his future at the club.
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According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Roque’s absence was all the more surprising as it came just a day after a meeting between the player’s father Deco and his agent Andre Cury in Barcelona. The meeting was reportedly arranged to discuss options for Roque’s future, with his departure looking increasingly likely.
Signs of departure since pre-season
Since the start of the preseason, rumors of Vitor Roque’s imminent departure have been multiplying. The Brazilian, who joined FC Barcelona last January, has not managed to convince coach Hansi Flick.
With only 16 games played and 2 goals scored, his impact has not lived up to expectations. The contrast is stark with teammates like Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, who have already integrated the group dynamic, as well as the newly arrived Dani Olmo, who had his first training session with his new teammates.
Sport reports that FC Barcelona had scheduled a meeting with Vitor Roque’s agent to speed up the resolution of his situation. The club is looking to free up salary space and would be open to a transfer this summer, if an offer above €30 million comes along. However, this option seems unlikely at the moment.
Faced with the lack of satisfactory offers, Barça would also consider a loan departure, in order not to lose money on its investment. However, Roque’s entourage would have made it known that if he were to leave the club, it would only be via a permanent transfer, which makes the situation even more complex.
need time to adapt?
Since arriving at Barcelona, Roque has failed to establish himself as a reliable option in attack, where competition is fierce. With the emergence of young talents like Pau Víctor, Roque’s prospects of playing time have diminished, leaving the former Athletico player in a difficult situation.
So, as Barça prepare to tackle the season, Vitor Roque’s future remains uncertain. The Brazilian forward could well leave the club in the coming days, but the question remains in what form and under what conditions. One thing is for sure, the situation will need to be clarified quickly for the good of all parties involved.
We are perhaps witnessing the soap opera of this end of the transfer window.
