Barcelona are working to secure a contract extension for Lamine Yamal, while Brazilian forward Vitor Roque prepares to leave the club.
Roque, who arrived from Athletico Paranaense, has struggled to replicate his previous form since joining the Spanish giants. Now, just 13 months after his arrival, the 19-year-old is set to return to Brazil, with the country’s transfer window closing today.
Despite high expectations when he signed in January 2023, Roque found it difficult to make an impact in the latter half of the 2023/24 season. His struggles, combined with the arrival of new manager Hansi Flick, signaled the need for a fresh start ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
An initial season-long loan to Real Betis was meant to provide him with regular playing time, but after a promising start, his form dipped again by the end of 2024.
With his future uncertain in both Catalonia and Andalucia, Palmeiras saw an opportunity to step in, though the deal required complex negotiations.
Barcelona accepted a €25.5m offer from Palmeiras, but for the move to go through, they needed clearance from both Real Betis and FIFA to terminate his loan.
Betis also demanded compensation for losing the player mid-season, ultimately securing an additional 30% of Ez Abde’s rights, increasing their stake to 80%.
With an agreement now in place, the only hurdle is time, as Roque travels to Brazil to finalize a five-year contract.
His departure will ease Barcelona’s financial burden, creating room to approve Inigo Martinez’s one-year contract extension.
According to Mundo Deportivo, this will also help the club prioritize the registration of Lamine Yamal’s new deal ahead of the summer transfer window.
