This is one of the most resounding flops in the recent history of FC Barcelona, and his transfer had, from the start, raised serious doubts and questions around the club’s motivations in this matter. Especially since the price was considerably high for a club in financial trouble, with 30 million fixed euros and an additional 30 million in the form of bonuses.
In Catalan lands, the Tigrinho failed to establish itself, with a total of 16 matches played (mostly as a substitute) and 2 small goals. His loan to Betis was not a real success either, and last February, Barça broke off its adventure with the Andalusian club to send the player to Palmeiras for 25.5 million euros. The Catalans still retain 20% of the player’s rights.
The Premier League pushes
Back home, he finds color again. He has 13 goals and 3 assists in 28 league matches, and above all, satisfactory performances in big matches, notably in October where he scored in quick succession against Vasco da Gama, Sao Paulo, RB Bragantino and Flamengo. He will be Palmeiras’ main asset in the Libertadores final against Flamengo at the end of November. Some also believe that he should be Brazil’s starting striker at the World Cup, and there is a huge chance that he will be called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the upcoming November break. If the CBF is very attentive to its development, this is also the case for several European clubs…
Various media like Mundo Deportivo thus evoke pronounced interests of English teams, such as Tottenham or Chelsea. But it is above all Manchester United who would be the most interested, with the desire to put 50 million euros on the table for the player trained at Athletico Paranaense. It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils will go on the attack this winter or in summer, but one thing is certain, Vitor Roque’s future has a good chance of being written in Europe.
