Xavi speaks out on Vitor Roque situation after €30m Barcelona striker linked with swap deal for Man Utd outcast Mason Greenwood

The Barcelona boss explained why the Brazilian forward has struggled for game time since joining the club in January. Since moving to La Liga from Athletico Paranaense, the 19-year-old has appeared in 11 league matches under Xavi and managed to clock just 276 minutes on the pitch.

According to the latest reports, the Catalan giants are planning to loan out the player in the upcoming summer transfer window but the player's agent has made it clear that his client would only consider moving out if he is sold permanently.

The 2022/23 La Liga champions are also considering the option of sending him out on a swap deal to sign Mason Greenwood from Manchester United after the winger's impressive run of form with Getafe in the current campaign, but Xavi insists Roque simply needs time to learn the Barcelona way.

Speaking to reporters, the Catalan coach said: "That’s how we planned it. We hadn’t planned for him coming so soon, we planned it for the summer, so he could continue learning as a player. Then we decided it was for the best for the club and for him, we had the chance to bring him in because of the injuries to Gavi and Balde so that he could train, get to know the club and his teammates, and then compete with his teammates.

"The debate, for me, I don’t understand it. He is learning. There are footballers ahead of him, who are in better conditions, and that is why he plays less. These things have happened all my life."

The Blaugrana will be next seen in action on Thursday night as they take on Almeria in La Liga in an away fixture.