Barcelona decide not to sell attacker this summer, loan option explored instead

Vitor Roque has had a very difficult first seven months at Barcelona. He struggled to adapt to Spanish football during the second half of last season, which led to Xavi Hernandez not counting on him for several important matches. Despite the change of management this summer, his fortunes still have not changed.

Ibrahim Balde is on trial at Barça Atlètic. He's a centre-back born in 2004 in Ivory Coast. @FCBarcelonaB

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Deco has spent weeks trying to identify the best way to move forward with Roque. It’s very unlikely that he will stay at Barcelona for the 2024-25 season at least – the club has been wanting a loan move to help him adapt to European football, while the player and his entourage preferred a sale (which also would have helped with Financial Fair Play).

The two parties are now closer to reaching a consensus, following a meeting on Saturday. As per Sport, the decision has been made that no sale will take place – unless Roque were to change his mind on going to Saudi Arabia. Instead, a loan departure is the option being explored, with a move to another La Liga club being the most likely outcome.

Realistically, this is the best decision for all parties. Roque can leave the spotlight that Barcelona shines so brightly, while still developing in Spanish football. It remains to be seen which club he ends up at, if he does indeed move away from Can Barca.