Sporting director Deco has revealed Barcelona’s plans for Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque throughout the January switch window.
A deal value as much as £52m was agreed with Athletico Paranaense for the Brazilian ahead in the summertime and his agent Andre Cury claimed final month that the plan was to carry him in formally throughout the winter window.
Nevertheless, Barca vice-president Eduard Romeu additionally admitted the membership nonetheless must navigate potential participant registration points.
The opportunity of Roque being signed as a substitute for the injured Gavi has been floated – La Liga guidelines permit golf equipment to herald one other participant value as much as 80% of the Spaniard’s wages – and Deco confirmed the Catalan aspect intend to finish their Roque swoop in January.
After Saturday night time’s 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, he stated: “Xavi and I are coordinated over our plans. We’re not going to interchange Gavi, as a result of there is no such thing as a different participant like him available on the market, and positively not in January.
“We’ll see what positions we have to strengthen in. We’ll absolutely go for Vitor Roque, however nothing has been determined but.”
Roque performed in his first match for Athletico Paranaense since September on Saturday after recovering from an ankle harm, showing within the goalless draw with Vasco de Gama within the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.
The 18-year-old has nonetheless produced 11 targets and three assists in 23 league matches and his January arrival would assist a Barca assault but to click on into gear to date in 2023/24.
The 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano was solely salvaged late on by a Florian Lejeune personal objective, whereas the defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk within the Champions League earlier than the November worldwide break noticed Xavi’s aspect register just one shot on the right track.
Robert Lewandowski did just lately finish a prolonged objective drought by bagging twice in opposition to Alaves, however the Poland worldwide could not discover the again of the web on Saturday, being largely devoid of high quality service.
