A signing from the Xavi era: Barcelona awaits a January bonus
Barcelona are keeping a close eye on the moves of several English clubs in the transfer market, hoping to secure a significant financial return from the sale of one of their former players, who left the club around two years ago but could return to prominence in the January mercato.
Vitor Roque never cracked it at the Camp Nou, and Barcelona let him go. Yet the Catalans are now watching the market closely, hoping to cash in on a clause that entitles them to a slice of any future sale of the Brazilian striker. He had arrived in 2023 under Xavi Hernandez for 30 million euros. As his appearances dried up, the club loaned him to Betis once Flick arrived, then sold him permanently to Palmeiras.
Manchester United have joined the race for the Palmeiras forward, according to a report from British website TEAMtalk and relayed by the Spanish newspaper Sport. Everton, Chelsea and Tottenham are also tracking him. All four are working to reach the striker's entourage and learn the terms needed to strike a deal in January's winter window.
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Andre Cury, the player's agent, confirmed Everton's interest. He also flagged the numerous European clubs keen to sign him, though he stopped short of naming the rest.
Barcelona awaits 10 million euros
Palmeiras do not appear ready to part with one of their standout players on the cheap. The 21-year-old is tied to the Brazilian club until December 2029, and his management have set 50 million euros as the minimum to even begin talks over his exit.
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That figure matters a great deal in Barcelona. When they sold the player to Palmeiras, the Catalans kept the right to a percentage of any subsequent transfer. They completed the deal for 25.5 million euros fixed plus add-ons, with the agreement including a clause granting them 20% of a future sale if it tops 41 million euros.
On those terms, a 50 million euro move for Vitor Roque would hand Barcelona 10 million euros. That is money the club's coffers could use to recoup part of what they spent on the Brazilian in the first place, despite how badly his spell with the first team at the Camp Nou went.
Deco, Barcelona's sporting director, is watching the interest around the player closely. He was one of the keenest backers of the Roque signing, before it ended far sooner than anyone expected.
The Brazilian has rediscovered some of his spark at Palmeiras. Even so, no confirmed official offer has landed yet. January remains the moment for the interested clubs to move, should one of them agree to meet the asking price.
