Speaking toMundo Deportivo, Alexandre Mattos, the director of Athletico Paranaense has insisted that Vitor Roque will not be joiningBarcelonain the current transfer window.
Barcelona secured the services of Roque from Athletico earlier this summer, in a Ԁєɑł worth €30 million plus €31 million in variables.
However, given the club’s Financial Fair Play situation, it was agreed thatBarçawill let him continue at Athletico until 2024 before arriving in Catalonia.
But the recent departures of Franck Kessie and Ousmane Dembele and the potential exits of Clement Lenglet and Sergino Dest would open up margin forBarçato bring Roque in now itself.
And that possibility is already being looked into, with the 18-year-old’s agent, Andre Cury,trying to mediate between the two clubs.
Mattos rules out Roque’s exit
However, ashe had done so once already this month, Mattos has once again quashed the chances of Roque leaving forBarcelonathis summer itself.
“Vitor is staying here. There is no possibility of leaving now. He was sold with these conditions. He stays at least until December. There is no possibility,”Mattos said.
“Barcelona, André Cury and Vitor already know that. He is going to stay and from January he will be available forBarcelona,”he added.
There had been some speculations that Athletico Paranaense could let Roque leave ifBarcelonaoffer up some money.
But Mattos ruled that possibility out as well, saying:”We don’t want money, we need Vitor Roque here to be in the Copa Libertadores in 2024, which is Paranaense’s centenary.”
As such, it is becoming abundantly clear that Roque will not be arriving atBarcelonathis summer and that fɑɴȿ will have to wait until 2024 to see the 18-year-old wonderkid in theBlaugranacolours.
