FC Barcelona have four of their players playing away on loan this season, including Oriol Romeu, Alex Valle, Clement Lenglet, and Vitor Roque.
The latter of these players, Roque, has been the subject of transfer news lately, as it was recently reported that the Brazilian side Palmeiras is interested in signing him only six months after he left the Blaugrana club on loan for Real Betis.
However, such a move is quite unlikely because Roque has been getting a lot of prominence under Manuel Pellegrini at Betis.
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
In fact, as Mundo Deportivo has reported, the Verdiblanco coach was full of praise for the young striker as he spoke to the press after his side’s win against Leganes, in which the Brazilian contributed by winning a penalty.
Pellegrini set out his expectations from Roque in the following words: “He is a young player who is just starting his career. He’s 19 years old, so we can’t demand the experience of a footballer with more matches under their belt.”
The Real Betis coach was clear that the Brazilian will continue to improve as he gets more chances: “He spent the full 90 minutes running, trying to create opportunities. He won the penalty, had a chance with a shot across the goal that he couldn’t convert, and a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.”
“As he gains composure, his precision in finishing inside the box will also improve. He’s a player in full growth who contributes a lot to us.”
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 12: Vitor Roque of FC Barcelona looks on after the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and AS Monaco at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 12, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Vitor Roque arrived at Barcelona with these same expectations but was unable to meet the demands of the Catalan club, and had to leave after only six months.
For now, his performances at Betis have been more encouraging, and it remains to be seen where he will be playing once his loan terms end as the Andalusian side has a right to permanently purchase him.