Barcelona have agreed to send Vitor Roque on loan to Real Betis for the upcoming 2024/25 season, according to reports.
Roque, the young Brazilian striker, struggled to establish himself at Barcelona following his €30 million (plus up to €31 million in add-ons) move from Athletico Paranaense in January. Despite hopes of a fresh start under new coach Hansi Flick, Roque found himself on the periphery, with his squad number given to another player and no place in the first-team setup.
Earlier this week, a permanent move to Sporting CP in Portugal was on the cards. However, Barcelona have now decided to accept a loan proposal from Real Betis instead.
The offer from Sporting was described as “significant” but still fell short of Barcelona’s initial outlay. Nevertheless, the decision to send Roque to Betis appears to be more about the club maintaining control over his future development, rather than purely a financial consideration.
The loan move to Real Betis will provide Roque with the opportunity to adapt to La Liga away from the intense scrutiny he faced in Catalonia last season. Under the guidance of experienced coach Manuel Pellegrini, Betis have a strong squad that could help Roque’s development, while the young striker can also bring youthful energy to the team.
This arrangement is seen as a mutually beneficial one, allowing Roque to gain valuable playing time and experience, while Barcelona retain control over his long-term future at the club.
