Barcelona youngster open to leaving loan club amid €25m transfer links – report | OneFootball

With the transfer window open until February 28 in Brazil, Palmeiras are attempting to sign Barcelona youngster Vitor Roque, who is currently on loan at Real Betis.

The 19-year-old arrived in Spain last year, signing for Barça from Athletico Paranaense, but never got going in the second half of last season, before leaving for Real Betis on loan in the summer.

Real Betis have the option of extending the Brazilian’s loan for another year while also retaining a permanent purchase clause worth €25 million for 80% of his rights.

But Palmeiras are pushing hard to sign, with club president Leila Pereira admitting as much in an interview this week.

Vitor Roque open to switch

Now, according to journalist Santi Ovalle, Roque is seriously considering the offer from Palmeiras that would see him return to Brazil immediately.

Roque would be open to Palmeiras move. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Although Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has publicly stated that Roque is part of his plans, the forward has become the third-choice attacker for the Verdiblancos, behind Cucho Hernandez and Bakambu.

This shift in hierarchy has led Roque to consider a transfer that would take him back home.

Barcelona, for their part, are keen to sell the player to recoup part of their investment but must negotiate with Betis to facilitate his departure. If the Seville-based club give the green light, Palmeiras already have a concrete offer ready.

Indeed, the Brazilian giants are prepared to offer €25 million to secure the forward’s services and he would be open to making the jump back to South America.

Now, it is up to Real Betis, currently in discussions with Barcelona, to decide whether to let the player go, although at the moment they are reluctant to let him leave.

The player’s agent recently visited both Barcelona and Seville and has now returned to Brazil, ready to act quickly if a transfer deal needs to be finalised.