Vitor Roque looks set to complete a permanent transfer away from Barcelona this week, also cutting short his loan at Real Betis in the process.
Roque failed to live up to the hype that billed him as Barcelona's answer to Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo last season, arriving in Catalonia in January 2024 as a raw 18-year-old.
The Brazilian youngster couldn't command any meaningful playing time under Xavi and opted to pursue a loan exit rather than risk staying sidelined under replacement coach Hansi Flick.
But his spell at Betis hasn't exactly been a raging success either, producing only four La Liga goals in 22 appearances, with starting opportunities suddenly drying up a few weeks ago following the January captures of Antony and Cucho Hernandez. Now, it looks like it will be a fresh start for the ex-Athletico Paranaense player, back home in Brazil with Palmeiras.
A proposed move has been brewing for much of February. SPORT writes that talks between Barca, Betis and Palmeiras are ongoing in order to finalise the matter, but Roque appears to have already played his last game for Betis as long as there are no unexpected problems.
The Catalan publication adds that the required documentation for Roque to become a Palmeiras player should be ready at some point on Monday. The teenager is set to travel to Brazil early this week so that a transfer can be completed as soon as possible.
Roque is set cost to Palmeiras a fee of 25m, only a slight loss on Barcelona's initial 30m outlay the player didn't trigger a myriad of add-ons that could have doubled the price. That amount will be payable by the end of June, with Barca to also retain a 20% sell-on fee for the future.
A driver behind Roque's Palmeiras move is the club's desire to be competitive at the inaugural quadrennial FIFA Club World Cup in summer. Flamengo have similarly been linked with veteran midfielders Jorginho and Casemiro before the Brazilian transfer deadline at the end of the month, although neither pursuit appears advanced enough to become reality at this stage.
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