Report outlines the reasons why Vitor Roque decided to join Palmeiras one year after arriving at Barcelona | OneFootball

Yesterday, FC Barcelona successfully completed the highly complicated operation of Vitor Roque’s transfer to the Brazilian side Palmeiras.

This was one of the most complicated operations for the Blaugrana side in recent years, as there were several stakeholders involved and several legal impediments had to be overcome to conclude this transfer.

However, aside from the complications of this transfer, the question of why the striker actually returned to Brazil only one year after his arrival in Europe also needs to be addressed.

In this regard, a narrative from Roque’s perspective has been provided by SPORT, which helps understand how the Brazilian starlet ultimately ended up going back to his native country.

Having joined Real Betis on loan last summer, Roque wanted to complete the season with the Verdiblancos. Thus, he was quite reluctant when his agent, Andre Cury, communicated to him the interest from Palmeiras in January.

However, he saw his standing in the Real Betis squad deteriorate in the winter transfer window, as the Seville side brought in Cucho Hernandez. Following this signing, the Brazilian youngster lost his starting position in the squad and was able to play only residually.

Meanwhile, Palmeiras continued to knock on his door, promising to make him one of the most influential players in a highly ambitious project. He also received several calls from the Brazilian side’s head coach, Abel Ferreira, in which the trainer explained the role that awaited him in his squad.

There was also a financial hurdle for the player to overcome, as his family was reluctant to give up on the seven-year contract with Barcelona which promised him €1.7 million every year. However, his agent explained that Palmeiras would be offering him an even higher salary, of €2.5 million annually, for five years.

Thus, it became clear to Roque that he will be joining one of the biggest sides in Brazil, unlike Athletico Paranaense, where he mostly had to be a lone ranger.

Playing an important role for such a big side in Brazil can also pave his way to the Brazilian national team for the 2026 World Cup, where it is still not clear who will be the starting centre-forward, with Roque and the Real Madrid youngster Endrick being the two most likely options.

Ultimately, keeping in view all these factors, Roque agreed to join Palmeiras in the biggest transfer operation for a South American club, while Barcelona, his agent, and the Brazilian club ensured his transfer was completed on time despite the opposition from RFEF.