Barcelona exploring a legal loophole to complete Vitor Roque sale after transfer blocked | OneFootball

It was expected that Palmeiras would finalise the signing of Barcelona striker Vitor Roque, currently on loan at Real Betis, today.

The deal would see the Blaugrana rake in a transfer fee of €25 million for 80% of the player’s rights while retaining 20% of his rights.

However, the move seems to have now broken down as La Liga and the RFEF pulled the plug on the operation due to legal issues.

Soon after, reports emerged confirming that Palmeiras, too, had called off negotiations with Barça knowing that the operation was unlikely to go through.

Barcelona looking for a loophole

However, now, Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona are continuing their efforts to complete the transfer of Vitor Roque to Palmeiras before the Brazilian transfer window closes later this Friday.

Given the transfer window is currently closed in Spain, Barcelona cannot recall Roque and re-register him before selling him to Palmeiras.

As such, the plan was for Betis, who have him on loan until June 30, to loan him to the Brazilian outfit, with an obligation to purchase him in the summer.

Barcelona are eager to sell Roque right now. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

However, La Liga did not approve this approach, prompting Barcelona to seek an alternative solution, this time through FIFA regulations.

The club’s legal representatives, in collaboration with the player’s agents, have carefully examined sports jurisprudence and identified a potential loophole.

The proposed solution would allow Barcelona to reclaim the player now and, as they would not be able to register him, as the transfer window closed on February 3, they could transfer him directly to Palmeiras.

Barcelona want to sell now

An alternative would be to keep Roque at Real Betis until the end of the season and allow Palmeiras to sign him during FIFA’s special transfer window (June 1-10) for clubs participating in the Club World Cup in the United States.

But Barcelona prefer to complete the sale immediately so as to prevent any last-minute complications and ensure the deal does not collapse.

Under the agreed terms with Palmeiras – €25 million for 80% of the player’s rights – Barcelona would recover almost the entirety of its initial investment in the player.

More importantly, securing this transfer would provide the necessary Financial Fair Play flexibility to complete two crucial contract renewals.

Firstly, it would allow Barcelona to extend Inigo Martinez’s contract. Secondly, it would provide financial stability to see through Lamine Yamal’s renewal once he turns 18 on July 13.