Barcelona Striker Vitor Roque Faces Uncertain Future Amid Transfer Rumors

Vitor Roque, who joined Barcelona amid high expectations, is already at risk of being sold due to a lackluster performance, according to recent reports.

Roque made a name for himself in Brazil with Athletico Paranaense, where he scored 28 goals and provided 11 assists in 81 matches. His impressive record caught the attention of top European clubs, including Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. Although Chelsea nearly finalized a deal for him, Barcelona swooped in and signed Roque for €40 million.

Struggles at Barcelona

Roque was brought to Barcelona to eventually succeed Robert Lewandowski. However, his tenure at the Nou Camp has been underwhelming. The young striker has only scored twice in 16 appearances, with just two of those matches seeing him play more than 30 minutes. His limited game time under former manager Xavi has led to speculations about his future at the club.

Potential Exit and Transfer Interest

Despite reports on June 18 indicating that Barcelona was unwilling to sell Roque, new information suggests otherwise. Fresh reports from Italy claim that the 19-year-old’s time at Barcelona is “hanging by a thread,” and the club is open to offloading him if a suitable offer is made. This situation has raised concerns that Roque could be labeled as one of Barcelona’s worst signings, especially given the high hopes for him to follow in the footsteps of fellow Brazilians Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

Manchester United has reportedly made the first move for Roque earlier this month. However, Chelsea, previously interested, are unlikely to rekindle their pursuit after their initial deal fell through. Chelsea is currently on the verge of signing another young striker from Barcelona, Marc Guiu, by activating his £5 million release clause.

The Future for Roque

Roque’s future remains uncertain as he contemplates his next move. While Manchester United appears interested, his potential departure from Barcelona hinges on the offers the club receives. Barcelona’s decision to possibly sell him marks a significant shift, considering his initial billing as a future star for the club.