Barcelona keen on selling €30 million forward as they get offers from Saudi Pro League - Reports
Barcelona are reportedly keen to offload Brazilian striker Vitor Roque amid interest from Saudi Arabia. The 19-year-old arrived at the Camp Nou in January.
However, the teenager struggled for first-team opportunities, scoring twice in 16 appearances across competitions in the second half of last season but starting only twice.
Despite being contracted to the Camp Nou till 2031, Roque is seemingly surplus to requirements. Considering the club's well-documented financial woes, they are having difficulties to register the strikers.
Barca Universal has reported that an unnamed Saudi side wants to take Roque for the season on loan, a deal that would see them pay the striker's full salary and a 'mandatory' purchase option. However, the Blaugrana are keen to sell Roque permanently, having bought him from Athletico Paranaense for €31 million.
Nevertheless, Roque is expected to feature in the side's pre-season tour of the US, where he will look to impress new boss Hansi Flick and stake his claim for a regular place in the starting XI. However, the striker has reportedly said that if things don't work out, he would rather go out permanently than on loan.
Barcelona's injury woes ahead of 2024-25 pre-season
Barcelona are grappling with injury woes as they prepare to embark on their 2024-25 pre-season tour of the US. One of them is centre-back Ronald Araujo, who has started his rehabilitation after surgery in Finland. The Uruguyan isn't expected back anytime soon, with his likely return some time near the end of the year.
Spain's Euro 2024-winning midfielder Pedri returned injured from the triumphant campaign and will not travel to the US but is expected to be fit before the start of the new La Liga season.
Ansu Fati - who sustained an injury on the sole of his right foot - also won't travel for pre-season. Then there's Frenkie de Jong - who missed Euro 2024 due to injury - with his return date not yet clear.
Meanwhile, Gavi isn't expected back before November as he recovers from a knee injury. Pablo Torre, though, will be part of the pre-season tour despite undergoing surgery on a fractured finger.