Agent confirms Lazio and Inter interest in Barca loanee Vitor Roque

The agent of Vitor Roque has confirmed that Lazio, Inter and Fiorentina were all interested in his client in the summer transfer window. The Brazilian striker shined in his short spell at Athletico Paranaens - scoring 21 goals in 45 appearances in his second and last season at the club - catching the interest of La Liga giants Barcelona, who were quick to seal a €40 million deal for the 19-year-old in the 23/24 January window.  

Nonetheless, the Cruzeiro youth product was placed on the transfer list less than six months later, as he struggled for minutes on the pitch. Vitor Roque ended up completing a loan move to Andalusian club Real Betis, who have the option to buy him on a permanent deal at the end of the 24/25 season. Though Barcelona believe in the potential of the forward, including a buy-back clause, which will be triggered should the player impress the Catalans. 

However, Roque's agent reveals that the player had several clubs keeping tabs on him during the summer, the majority coming for Italy. Speaking to 'TuttoMercatoWeb', agent Andre Cry named Lazio, Inter, and Fiorentina as the possible destinations that came up during the transfer window before the Brazilian landed on Real Betis. "Yes, I spoke to Fiorentina. But only once, for a very short time. Lazio and Inter also showed interest but we never spoke about the player in depth. That’s because they never made offers, neither to us nor to Barcelona.

Lazio were in the hunt for a striker following captain Ciro Immobile's departure to Besiktas after 8 years with the 'Biancocelesti', and although the interest for Vitor Roque never materialised, the club eventually landed on strikers Boulaye Dia and Samuel Gigot as replacements. Now at Betis, Roque is settling into life in Spain. He featured in the team's last two matches in La Liga, scoring in the latest against Leganés to seal a 2-0 for the 'Verdiblancos'.

 

September 13, 2024