(Football news) According to sources who spoke with ESPN, Barcelona and Atletico-PR’s Vitor Roque have struck an agreement for a transfer fee of about €40 million ($43.6 million), but it is still unknown when the Brazilian will be able to join the team.
In June, ESPN reported that Barca was hopeful of signing Roque as they search for a backup striker and successor to seasoned forward Robert Lewandowski, who will turn 35 in August.
Roque, 18, checked all the boxes, and after discussions facilitated by the club’s new sporting director Deco, a deal has been reached for the international from Brazil.
It is presently unknown when he will be able to join his new team, though, as a result of the club’s financial difficulties. Barca is currently over their LaLiga-imposed spending cap and is only permitted to spend 50% of any money they generate or save on signing new players.
The LaLiga champions are therefore putting the finishing touches on three potential scenarios that involve Roque joining either in January, next summer, or during the current transfer window.
To assure they would be able to enact the new contracts signed by Ronald Arajo, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto, and Iaki Pea, Barca’s directors put up a guarantee of €6.7m ($7.3m) against their viability plan on Tuesday.
Ilkay Gündoan, a free agent from Manchester City, and defender Inigo Martnez, whose transfer from Athletic Club is anticipated to be finalised this week, are both players they still need to register.
Since Barça wants to lighten the strain in attack before adding Roque, who can also play wide if necessary but is mostly a No. 9, any other signings will depend on players departing first.
Since head coach Xavi Hernandez changed to a midfield four, Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Ansu Fati have been vying for just two spots in the front line.
Even after signing Gündoan and Martnez, Barca’s primary objective remains finding a midfield replacement for Sergio Busquets, who will join Inter Miami CF. Despite completing a deal for Roque.
Oriol Romeu of Girona is presently the main target, although Iván Fresneda of Real Valladolid is another player the club is interested in signing, according to a report from ESPN on Tuesday.
Consequently, sources claim that it is difficult to sign and register Roque during the current transfer season, with January maybe being more likely, even if the window is still open until September 1.
Following his success for Athletico and Brazil’s young teams, Roque attracted Barca’s interest. Last year, he assisted his team in reaching the Copa Libertadores final, and most recently, he was awarded his first senior cap for his nation.
The young player has 22 goals in 65 outings for Athletico, including six in his past five matches and one last weekend in a 2-2 draw with Palmeiras, who also had a goal from Real Madrid-bound Endrick.
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