The transfer of Athletico Paranaense’s Vitor Roque to Barcelona is all but finalised
According to sources, the Catalans will pay €30 million plus €31 million in variables for the deal, and because of FFP concerns, the striker is predicted to arrive in January 2024.
However, the club must make some significant deals and free up space on the salary bill if manager Xavi Hernandez is to have the 18-year-old at his disposal right away.
As a result, according to Javi Miguel of AS, Barcelona is stepping up its attempts to try to sell striker Ferran Torres and midfielder Franck Kessie in order to guarantee Roque’s successful registration this summer. Barça presently abides with the 50% guideline in accordance with the viability plan that La Liga authorised. They must therefore sell two players with a medium to high profile in order to make a sizable profit and free up some wage money for Roque.
To ensure that the 18-year-old is registered immediately, the La Liga champions have four players they might sell: Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati, Kessie, and Torres. However, the report claims that Garcia has the manager’s trust and that Fati is still seen as a valuable member of the team. In order to get rid of Kessie and Torres, Barcelona is increasing the stakes. Both players joined the team in 2022, but under Xavi neither has been able to secure a berth in the starting lineup.
Although Kessie has a tempting offer on the table and is receiving interest from Saudi Arabia, he has shown no sign of wanting to go despite being informed that his minutes will be significantly reduced this term. While Torres, 23, is not in Xavi’s plans, he is on the radar of Premier League clubs, and the attacker won’t even entertain the thought of leaving the club. But Barcelona is making every effort to get rid of the pair so that Roque can come this summer. However, there isn’t much reason for excitement right now, and all signs point to the Brazilian perhaps arriving in January 2024.
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