After starting the 2024-25 season in a blazing fashion, the FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has slowed down significantly in the last few weeks. He can still end the year 2024 as the top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues, but there are also some doubts about the Pole’s ability to continue playing at this level going forward as he is already 36 years of age.
This has been a concern for Barcelona for quite some time now, and one of the steps the Blaugranes took to eliminate this problem last year was to incorporate Vitor Roque, one of the most promising strikers in football at that time, into their team in the 2024 January window.
The Brazilian forward was unable to establish himself in the Catalan team during the half-season he spent there. As a result, he left the Blaugrana club last summer to join Real Betis on loan. Since arriving in Seville, he has made 23 appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 1 assist.
These performances have already naturally increased his demand in the market, and according to Mundo Deportivo, Roque already has a team that wants to get him in this winter transfer window.
This team is none other than the Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, which has reportedly already made contact with Roque’s entourage for this purpose. The Brazilian club can offer up to €20 million plus bonuses to sign him.
SEVILLE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 13: Vitor Roque of Real Betis celebrates after scoring the teams second goal during the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and CD Leganes at Estadio Benito Villamarin on September 13, 2024 in Seville, Spain.
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
However, such a move is quite unlikely. Roque is currently in his first year of a two-year loan at Real Betis. He is not expected to return to Barcelona before the end of the next season, and Betis also have a purchase option on the player.
So far, his move to the Verdiblanco side is paying dividends, and there is no reason why Roque would look to leave this club only six months after joining them unless he is missing his home country and wants to return to Brazil.