Vitor Roque: One of Barcelona's Worst Signings? Man Utd and Chelsea Rumors Swirl

Barcelona's young forward Vitor Roque is reportedly facing an uncertain future, with the club considering his sale amidst rumors of interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. 

Vitor Roque's Rise in Brazil

Vitor Roque emerged as one of Brazil's brightest attacking talents, making his mark at Athletico Paranaense after transferring from Cruzeiro in April 2022. The promising centre-forward tallied an impressive 28 goals and 11 assists in 81 appearances, catching the eye of top European clubs including Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Barcelona's €40 Million Gamble

Chelsea nearly secured a deal for Roque, but Barcelona ultimately won the race, signing him for €40 million. Roque, with one cap for Brazil, was seen as the successor to Robert Lewandowski at the Nou Camp.

Struggles at the Nou Camp

Roque's tenure at Barcelona has been underwhelming. Limited opportunities under former coach Xavi led to his agent suggesting a possible departure. To date, Roque has managed only 16 appearances for Barcelona, scoring twice, with just two matches seeing him play more than 30 minutes.

Transfer Speculations: Man Utd and Juventus

Reports have linked Roque with a move to Juventus, and Manchester United allegedly made an initial offer earlier this month. Despite initial claims that Barcelona were reluctant to sell, new reports suggest the club is open to offloading Roque if a suitable offer is made. His potential departure could cement his status as one of Barcelona’s worst signings, given the high expectations and his limited impact.

Chelsea's Changing Focus

While Manchester United remains interested, Chelsea is unlikely to pursue Roque again. The Blues are close to signing another young striker from Barcelona, Marc Guiu, after activating his £5 million release clause. Additionally, Chelsea may bring in two more promising talents following an update from David Ornstein.

Conclusion

Vitor Roque's future at Barcelona hangs in the balance as the club contemplates his sale amid interest from major European clubs. His journey from a Brazilian prodigy to a struggling forward at one of the world's biggest clubs highlights the unpredictable nature of football transfers. Whether he stays or moves on, Roque's career trajectory will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.