Vitor Roque's move away from Barcelona to Brazilian outfit Palmeiras is back on after intervention from world football's governing body, FIFA, according to multiple reports.
Barcelona signed Roque amid much fanfare in January 2024, but the teenager desperately struggled to make an impact during his six months in the first-team. After earning just two starts, a pair of goals and one red card, Roque joined Real Betis on loan last summer.
Manuel Pellegrini lost faith in his loanee after the turn of the year and Barcelona appeared to have agreed a permanent sale of Roque to Palmeiras for a sum of 25m (�20.7m). Betis seemed to be content to cut the striker's season-long loan short, but the Spanish football federation (RFEF) waded in, reminding all involved parties that any move between two La Liga clubs can only take place during an open transfer window - which closed on 3 February.
The Brazilian window does not conclude until the end of February. Barcelona contacted a legal firm and after closing studying Article 5.2 of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, the world governing body have gone against Spain's football authority to sanction Roque's move, as revealed by Mundo Deportivo.
To ensure that Betis remain onboard, Barcelona have been negotiating about potential compensation packages so that they will agree to curtail Roque's loan. While no exact details have been unveiled, Marca report that the options include a straightforward fee, a priority option for a future signing or a renegotiation of the deal for Abde Ezzalzouli, who is owned equally by Betis and Barcelona.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that Palmeiras are "closing in on" a deal for Roque who is expected to sign for the Sao Paulo-based club on either Thursday or Friday, with the latter being deadline day in Brazil.
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