Barcelona forward Vitor Roque still struggling with adaptation

Amid plenty of speculation on the future of striker Vitor Roque, the Brazilian still seems to be struggling with the switch from Athletico Paranaense.

Roque had a difficult start to life in Barcelona, arriving into a struggling side after a lengthy lay-off with an ankle problem, and no preseason. Since, it has not gotten much easier. In recent weeks, it was reported that some of Barcelona’s academy players have noticed that technically, Roque is not perhaps at the level of some of his colleagues.

Barça keep calm about the signing of Nico Williams. And not only that: President Laporta still believes that the operation can come to fruition. Optimism continues, despite the fact that the waiting time is longer than expected. @sport

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) July 30, 2024

It had been framed as a fresh opportunity for Roque to win his place in the squad under Hansi Flick in preseason, and he may still get his chance in games, but The Athletic now report that he has not made much of an impression in his first weeks with the German coach. Roque played in their preseason friendly with Olot last week, which Barcelona won 1-0, and there too, he struggled.

Roque has reportedly turned down an offer from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, and there are also reports of interest from Lazio in the 19-year-old. While he is reluctant to accept an exit, his agent Andre Cury will push for a transfer not a loan, and Barcelona are keen to sell him on account of their poor salary limit situation, allowing them to move for other attacking players.