Vitor Roque Joins Palmeiras In Transfer Deal from Barcelona

Palmeiras has officially secured the signing of Barcelona striker Vitor Roque for an initial fee of €25 million ($26 million), following FIFA’s approval for the transfer.

Earlier this week, the deal appeared to be in jeopardy due to regulations set by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). These rules prevented Vitor Roque from returning to Barcelona, which was a necessary step before he could be transferred from his loan at Real Betis.

However, world football’s governing body, FIFA, ruled the signing could proceed, and it has been finalized ahead of the transfer window closing in Brazil on Friday.

Barcelona stands to gain an additional €5 million in add-ons as part of the agreement, which facilitates Vitor Roque’s return to Brazil just over a year after his departure for Europe. Furthermore, the club will receive 20% of any future transfer fee involving the player.

Meanwhile, in exchange for agreeing to end Roque’s loan early, Betis have received an additional 30% of winger Abde Ezzalzouli’s economic rights.

Abde joined Betis from Barça for an initial €7.5m in 2023, with the Catalan side maintaining 50% of any future transfer. That percentage has now been cut to 20%.

Vitor Roque, who celebrated his 20th birthday last Friday, joined Barcelona only last January in a deal valued at an initial €30 million from the Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense.

During his time at the club last season, Vitor Roque made 16 appearances and found the back of the net twice before transferring to Real Betis on a season-long loan last August. While in Seville, he scored seven goals in 33 matches.

Palmeiras had pledged to sign Roque in the summer if a deal could not be completed this month, but always preferred to bring him in now to give him time to settle ahead of the Club World Cup, which starts in June.

The Brazilian club is placed in Group A alongside Al Ahly, Inter Miami, and Porto, making the opportunity to compete in this tournament a significant attraction for Roque.