Barcelona ready to let Vitor Roque leave in summer window despite club's hope he will replace Robert Lewandowski

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claims new Barca boss Hansi Flick wants to see the teenager in pre-season to assess his qualities. However, because the Catalan outfit need to register a host of players with La Liga, include Gavi and Alejandro Balde, there is a chance Roque could be cut adrift. If so, a loan exit could be on the cards or even a permanent transfer.

The Brazil international swapped Athletico Paranaense for Barca in January 2024 after signing for an initial fee in the region of £30 million ($38m) but he has scored just two goals in 16 games. Former manager Xavi seemed reluctant to play the 19-year-old and just five months after his arrival, the former Cruzeiro ace was linked with a transfer exit. If he were to leave permanently, this would be seen as one of their biggest transfer mistakes in recent times.

According to The Athletic, nine of the 25 players who started games for Barcelona in the 2023-24 La Liga campaign can't be registered for next season. The report added that the club must find approximately £110 million (€130m) before June 30 or it will be tough to add new players to their squad as they overshot La Liga's salary limit this season. This adds to the myriad of financial issues the Blaugrana are facing.

Barcelona, who are reportedly considering making Ferran Torres their number nine as a long-term replacement for 35-year-old Robert Lewandowski, may have to come up with new ingenious ways of saving money to register Roque and more, or player exits are likely.