Vitor Roque’s Move to Palmeiras
On a historic Friday, Brazilian club Palmeiras officially announced the signing of Vitor Roque from Barcelona. The 20-year-old forward, who had been on loan at Real Betis, has now become the marquee signing for Palmeiras this year. The deal, brokered by Roque’s agent, Andre Cury, reflects a strategic move to help both the player and Barcelona, a club that is currently facing significant financial challenges. Barcelona initially invested a substantial €30 million on Roque, with an additional €30 million in variable clauses that were not met. In this transfer, Barcelona managed to recover much of their initial investment, selling 80% of his rights for €25.5 million plus €5 million in variables, although these additional clauses are considered difficult to achieve. Cury emphasized the mutual benefits, stating, "Now we are doing the operation to help Deco and the club because they are not using the player. They take the money back, which today Barca need a lot, and the player continues his journey."
The Context of the Transfer
Barcelona’s decision to sign Vitor Roque in the winter transfer window of 2023 raised several eyebrows. Cury acknowledged that the timing of Roque’s arrival in Europe was less than ideal, given his young age and the pressures of instant performance. "He is a very young boy. I think that arriving in winter did not do him any good," Cury explained. The agent also highlighted that Roque’s move back to Brazil is a temporary step to allow the player to mature and gain more playing time. "Vitor is going to take this path of returning to Brazil for one or two seasons and will return to Europe. At 21 or 22 years old, I think he will be back," he said. This sentiment underscores the belief that Roque has the potential to succeed at a higher level, even if his initial European stint did not meet expectations.
Betis’ Role in the Decision
Theunexpected signing of Cucho Hernandez by Real Betis on deadline day significantly influenced Roque’s decision to leave. Betis, aiming to strengthen their attacking options, opted to sign the experienced Colombian striker for €13 million, a move that effectively sidelined Roque. Cury pointed out, "When Betis made this move to buy a ‘9’ it is because they are discarding Vitor. We could not stay there on loan, it is very dangerous for a player to always be on loan because a player has to have an owner to take care of him." This situation highlighted the need for Roque to find a more stable and supportive environment where he could develop his skills and play regularly.
The Influence of Previous Leadership
The transfer of Vitor Roque was not just a financial decision but also one influenced by the club’s previous transfer department leadership. Andre Cury mentioned that his initial meetings were with Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff and Director of Football Mateu Alemany, alongside the current Director of Football, Deco. "The first meeting I had was with Jordi Cruyff and with Mateu Alemany and with Deco, who were together, at the Princesa Sofía. The operation was carried out as normally as always. Barca recovers almost all of the money invested," Cury noted. This transparency is crucial in understanding the broader context of the deal and the roles played by different individuals in the club’s management.
Facing Criticism and Legal Actions
The move for Roque has faced significant criticism, particularly in the Catalan capital. Presidential rival Victor Font has been vocal in his skepticism, even accusing Deco of lying about the deal. Reports suggest that Deco is considering taking legal action against Font, though Font himself remains unaware of any such proceedings. The controversy further intensified with claims that manager Xavi Hernandez was not in favor of signing Roque, especially given Barcelona’s tight salary cap. Cury, however, dismissed these allegations as "nonsense" and "things that aren’t true," emphasizing the integrity and necessity of the transfer decision.
A Player’s Journey and Future Prospects
Despite the setbacks and criticisms, Vitor Roque remains a player with immense potential. His agent, Andre Cury, is confident that Roque will return to European football in the near future, once he has developed further in Brazil. "The truth is that today football has changed a little because people want players to perform automatically, from one day to the next," Cury observed, suggesting a need for patience and understanding in the development of young talents. Roque’s move to Palmeiras is seen as a crucial step in his career, providing him with the playing time and support system necessary to grow into a top international talent. The Brazilian club, known for nurturing young players, is the perfect environment for Roque to refine his skills and prepare for his eventual return to the European stage.
