Barcelona believe Vitor Roque’s arrival in January would be ‘too hasty’, could go for a midfielder instead

In a major development, journalist Jordi Cardero is reporting that Barcelona are likely to postpone the incorporation of Vitor Roque until next summer.

Instead, if there is room on the salary margin during the January window, the Blaugrana will go for a midfielder instead.

Roque’s arrival seen as ‘too hasty’

It is no secret that Barcelona’s intention and Xavi’s wish was to bring in Vitor Roque in the January transfer window, once they receive the €40 million pending payment from Libero.

But the Brazilian’s injury at the end of September, coupled with Barça’s financial constraints, have changed the roadmap.

Despite the fact that his recovery is going well, the Barça technical department believes that bringing him in now – provided that it is financially possible – may be too hasty.

“It would be sporting suicide,” a club source told the journalist.

Barcelona do not want to rush Roque’s recovery process. And they believe for him to be ready to compete at the highest level in 2024 when the Champions League returns and the season enters the business end, would be to burden him with “an excess of responsibility”.

Xavi’s wish has always been to have Vitor Roque as of January so that he has more attacking options and cover for Robert Lewandowski. But the decision is not entirely up to the manager or sporting director Deco.

Xavi wants Roque to arrive in January. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

A midfielder in January?

As mentioned earlier, any operation during the winter window would depend on the €40 million payment that Barcelona are yet to receive from Libero.

While waiting for the German Fund to release the amount, the Blaugrana are also looking at alternatives to bolster their finances due to the former’s unreliability so far.

Either way, if the payment arrives and there is enough salary margin, Barcelona might decide to go after a new midfielder in the winter window instead.

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Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-believe-vitor-roques-arrival-in-january-would-be-too-hasty-could-go-for-a-midfielder-instead/

Author : Michel Durant

Publish date : 2023-11-17 11:45:43

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