Barcelona nears €25.5m deal to send 19-year-old forward to Palmeiras – Report | OneFootball

The transfer saga surrounding Vitor Roque is reaching its climax as the Brazilian forward edges closer to a move from Barcelona to Palmeiras. With the Brazilian transfer window set to slam shut this Friday, all parties are racing against time to finalize a deal that has taken several unexpected turns.

Reports from Brazil, led by UOL columnist Paulo Vinicius Coelho (h/t SPORT), suggest that Palmeiras are increasingly confident of securing Roque’s services, with the 19-year-old potentially landing in São Paulo as early as Friday.

The operation hinges on terminating his current loan spell at Real Betis before Barcelona can complete the transfer to the Brazilian giants—a process described as unconventional but now progressing steadily.

Deal Back on Track

After weeks of uncertainty and bureaucratic hurdles, FIFA has reportedly greenlit the transfer operation, with only Betis’ final approval pending.

Earlier concerns raised by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) appear to have dissipated, putting the transfer back on course.

Spanish outlet Jijantes added further clarity, revealing that the base fee stands at €25.5 million, with up to €5 million in additional variables—slightly higher than the previously reported €25 million flat fee.

Despite the optimism, sources from Palmeiras caution that the clock is ticking. Late Wednesday updates confirmed that initial documents have been exchanged, awaiting final validation from the federation.

Meanwhile, Betis has remained cooperative, acknowledging ongoing talks and expressing willingness to facilitate Roque’s exit—though the Andalusian club has stayed tight-lipped on potential compensation for terminating his loan early.

A Race Against Time

The complexity of this multi-club operation has kept everyone involved on edge. Betis, where Roque has been on loan since the summer, holds a purchase option and a loan deal running until the season’s end with an option to extend his loan stay for an additional year.

However, with the player’s desire to return to Brazil evident, the Seville-based club seems unlikely to stand in the way, provided their interests are safeguarded.

For Barcelona, the transfer represents a financial balancing act. The €25.5 million base fee aligns with the amortization of Roque’s original signing cost from early 2024, offering some relief to the club’s wage bill and Financial Fair Play constraints.

Yet, the move also marks the end of a brief and underwhelming chapter for the young striker at the Catalan capital, where he struggled to secure regular minutes.

Palmeiras’ Vision: Now or Later?

Palmeiras see Roque as a key piece for their ambitions, both immediate and future-facing. The club has made it clear to Barcelona that they want him in this window as a last-minute reinforcement.

However, should Friday’s deadline pass without a resolution, Palmeiras are prepared to revisit the deal in June, eyeing Roque as a cornerstone for their Club World Cup campaign.

As the hours tick down, the transfer remains tantalizingly close yet not fully sealed. For Vitor Roque, a return to Brazil could be the reset his career needs after a challenging stint in Spain.

For Barcelona, it’s a pragmatic move to offload a player who never quite fit. And for Palmeiras, it’s a chance to land a prodigious talent with time still on his side.