Vitor Roque enters Porto’s sights, and Pepê can serve as a “bargaining chip”

Without a confirmed presence at Barcelona for next season, striker Vitor Roque entered Porto’s sights. The information comes from the Portuguese newspaper “A Bola”, which also says that midfielder Pepê, another Brazilian, could serve as a bargaining chip.

According to the publication, Porto does not have the financial capacity to compete with other European giants for Vitor Roque. However, Pepê is seen as a great opportunity for the deal to be completed, as the former Grêmio “is of great interest to Barcelona”.

Pepê has been one of Porto’s highlights in recent seasons and has even received chances in the Brazilian national team. The player has a contract with the Portuguese club until 2027 and has a clause set at 75 million euros (R$417 million), but the team would only accept a negotiation for at least 60 million euros (R$332 million).

Because of this high value, Barcelona does not want to pay so much and “waves” with Vítor Roque. The Catalan club sees Pepê as having the right characteristics to adapt quickly to Xavi’s team.

🐅 Vitor Roque’s dream come true. ✨

🇧🇷 #BrazilFCB 🔵 pic.twitter.com/ozxfih4Bud

— FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona_br) January 31, 2024

Porto’s sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, has been working secretly to try and sign Vitor Roque. The Portuguese daily explained the importance of the former Athletico-PR player in the Dragons’ squad.

“A talent like Vítor Roque would give strength to the squad’s valorization project, with the aim of providing the group with more quality to fight in all national competitions and have instruments to carry out a campaign in the Europa League capable of projecting the club’s international image” , it was written.

Future of Vitor Roque indefinite in Barcelona

Vitor Roque arrived at Barcelona at the beginning of this year as one of football’s greatest promises, however, he has had few opportunities so far. In 13 games, totaling around 300 minutes, the striker scored two goals and made no assists.

At the beginning of May, André Cury, the player’s agent, had criticized coach Xavi for the lack of opportunities given to the striker. The agent also said that a possible loan would hinder the Brazilian’s career and that if he were to leave, it would have to be permanent.

In a press conference last Monday, Xavi commented that the club will make a decision on Vitor Roque’s future at the end of the season and also poked André Cury.

“He no longer plays for competition reasons for a team like Barça. Here you compete with very good players. Let’s make these decisions [sobre o futuro] at the end of the season and internally. I don’t have to answer anything, much less to businesspeople”, he said.