Vitor Roque: Permanent Barcelona exit at risk of collapse after late snag

Barcelona could see their proposed sale of flop striker Vitor Roque to Palmeiras fall through over complications relating to ending his loan at Real Betis.

Roque has been on course to complete a €25m permanent switch to the Brazilian club, having struggled to establish in La Liga, either at Barcelona or since last summer’s temporary Betis move.

It was thought on Monday that an agreement between Barcelona and Palmeiras was being drawn up ahead of Brazil’s transfer window closing at the end of the month. Betis were seemingly on board too, with Roque scoring just four times in more than 20 La Liga appearances and seeing his playing time reduced since the winter arrivals of Cucho Hernandez and Antony.

Only an unforeseen late hurdle could have derailed things, but that is potentially now the case.

ESPN writes that the problem has arisen with trying to cut short the Real Betis loan, with regulations set by Spain’s football federation (RFEF) preventing that from happening. Palmeiras are said to be “exploring workarounds”, but the overall feeling appears to be one of “pessimism”.

The specific issue is that loans in Spain can only be cut short when the parent club where the player is returning to is in an open registration period. With the January transfer window for Spanish clubs long since closed, Roque cannot return to Barcelona, even if just as part of the process to leave.

Unless an unlikely loophole emerges, Roque will have to stay at Real Betis until summer.

That is a major blow for Palmeiras, who wanted him to strengthen their squd ahead of competing at the inaugural quadrennial FIFA Club World Cup that kicks off in June. The next transfer window in Brazil doesn’t open until 10 July, which is too late for Roque to be involved in the tournament.