Barcelona reject €20 million offer for player as they want double - Reports
FC Barcelona have reportedly decided to part ways with forward Vitor Roque this summer, just six months after bringing him on board. But the Blaugrana aren't eager to part ways with the player without recouping a significant portion of their investment in the Brazilian starlet.
According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Barca Blaugranes), the La Liga giants have turned down a €20 million bid from Lazio for the 19-year-old. Furthermore, the Serie A club offered to acquire 50% of the player’s rights, which would have entitled Barca to half the profits from any future sale.
However, the Catalan giants have set Roque’s price at €40 million for a complete transfer this summer. He was signed from Athletico-PR in January in a €31 million deal (without variables) and penned an unusually long seven-and-a-half-year deal.
Vitor Roque still desires to stay and impress FC Barcelona's new boss Hansi Flick
Earlier in the week, Vitor Roque was given a run-in by Hansi Flick with the Brazilian teenager starting on the left flank, rather than his preferred number nine role, in Barcelona's friendly match against Manchester City. However, he struggled during his time on the pitch, completing zero passes and losing possession nine times, before being hooked at halftime.
But Roque remained confident of impressing the bosses at the Catalan club, and said after the game (via Forbes):
"I trust myself, these are decisions that do not depend on me, I think I can stay."
But Barcelona, who are in a widely known financial fix, will reportedly not make an extra effort to register the young striker if there is no space within their salary cap by the end of the transfer window.
Moreover, Flick sees Pau Victor, who was bought this summer from Girona, as a more capable replacement for veteran Robert Lewandowski. The 22-year-old has impressed in the pre-season, scoring a goal against Manchester City, and then a brace against arch-rivals Real Madrid.