Vitor Roque has revealed that Barcelona sporting director Deco has given him assurances that he can be registered by the club in January.
Barca announced that they had agreed a deal worth up £52m to sign the highly-regarded young striker from Athletico Paranaense during the summer, with caveat of the deal being that Roque would remain at his boyhood club until the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Roque has therefore been expected to join his new club in January, however Barcelona’s salary cap issues have thrown the registration of the forward’s contract into doubt.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, discussed the registration issue and confirmed that Deco has given him assurances that he will join Barca in January 2024.
“I met Deco recently and we had positive conversations. He told me that everything can happen in January. If it doesn’t happen, that’d be fine, too. I am calm,” the young forward said.
The 18-year-old’s sentiments echo those of his agent Andre Curry, who recently insisted that the player will move in January.
“Our idea, that of the player and that of Barca, is for the player to join in January,” he told RAC1. “With Athletico Paranaense it is also agreed that way. We only contemplate this scenario.”
Roque also took the time to discuss how the agreement to join Barcelona came about in the summer, admitting he was surprised by the new of the La Liga giant’s interest at first.
“When I received the news that Barcelona were interested in me, I was very happy. First I didn’t believe it, but when the interest became concrete and I saw the proposals, I was very excited and shared it with my family,” he explained.
“I always dreamed of wearing the Barcelona shirt. I was always clear that I wanted to go to Barcelona. For me, it was only Barca.
“The first time Xavi called me along with Deco they told me that they were happy to have been able to complete my signing for Barcelona and that they were going to help me in every way, as a coach and as a friend off the pitch.”
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