Vitor Roque's arrival looms: Barcelona's solution to striking dilemma

By SABC Sport
2nd November 2023

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has been wrestling with a puzzle for weeks – how to fill the void left by injured players in his squad.

Among the vacant positions, the centre-forward role has proven to be the trickiest of them all, with Robert Lewandowski being the sole pure number nine in Xavi's arsenal. This situation not only leaves the manager without a direct replacement for Lewandowski but also hampers his plans to rest the veteran striker.

Fortunately, Barcelona secured a solution to their striking woes last summer with the acquisition of Vitor Roque. The promising striker from Athletico Paranaense signed a contract with the club during the recent transfer window. However, due to financial fair play constraints, his arrival at the Catalan club was delayed.

According to a report from SPORT, Vitor Roque's debut for Barcelona could happen as early as January or be postponed until next summer. The final decision hinges on various factors, including the player's recovery status, his form, Barcelona's performance in different competitions, and, most importantly, Xavi's sentiments.

The club have set a critical deadline for making this pivotal decision, which is 15 November. The outcome will be determined by a complex interplay of these variables, and it is an eagerly awaited verdict.

Roque's Story: A Rising Star Derailed

The 18-year-old Roque had been in sensational form for Athletico Paranaense in the current season, showcasing his talent by scoring 11 goals and providing three assists in just 22 games in the Brasileiro Serie A. However, his promising season took a tragic turn after a horrific tackle during a game against Internacional in late September which has sidelined him ever since.

Despite this unfortunate setback, Roque has shown tremendous resilience and determination in his road to recovery. His impending move to Barcelona in January hinges on this recovery progress. As reported in the same source, the young player is making good progress and might even be fit to complete the season with his current Brazilian club by December.

Barcelona are expected to push for Roque's arrival in January. Not only would this ease the burden on Lewandowski but also provide Roque with valuable time to adapt to his new surroundings and teammates. The decision that will shape the future of Barcelona's striking options will be made in just two weeks' time.