Joan Laporta Confirms Barcelona Deal For Vitor Roque, Talks Futures Of Dembele And Ansu Fati
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed a deal for Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque has been finalised.
The Catalan giants have been chasing Roque this summer, and recent reports stated that an agreement had been reached with Athletico Paranaense for around €60 million, including bonuses, on a five-year deal.
Roque is expected to join Barca in 2024, and Laporta insists that the possibility of his arrival this summer depends on FFP.
“It’s already booked,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo when asked about the deal for Roque.
“We have this feasibility plan and it is scheduled for January or June unless the foreseen circumstances improve, although they could still occur. The contract is signed and done and the player is already from Barca.”
Barca have also been alerted with the situation of Ousmane Dembele in recent times, with the Frenchman’s contract expiring in the summer of 2024 and has a release clause worth €50 million that will be active this summer.
Rumours of Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in the French winger as a replacement for his compatriot Kylian Mbappe have been circulating, however, Laporta has played down them, stating that he is confident of tying Dembele to a new contract.
“Dembele wants to continue at Barca and I think he is not in favour of going to any team,” Laporta added.
“Dembele is a player very loved by the coach, the technical office and by me. I am a great fan.
“Now we are in negotiations so that it continues and we hope that it will be resolved.”
Speaking about Ansu Fati, the Blaugrana president stated that the Spanish winger is determined to make his mark at the club.
Fati’s future has been thrown into doubt following his decline in form, which saw him fall down the pecking order of Xavi.
The Catalan giants are also said to be willing to offload their No.10 as part of the summer clearout to balance the books.
However, Laporta has praised Fati’s hard work in training and added that Fati is still in the plans of Xavi heading into the new season.
Laporta on Fati: “Well, at Barca and he wants to succeed at Barca. He has a gift, which is a scorer. Xavi told me that in training the ones who score the most goals are Lewandowski and Ansu.
“Xavi is determined to give him opportunities.”
Fati will be coming on the back of an excellent Nations League campaign, where he played a sparkling cameo in the finals against Croatia, eventually helping Spain lift the title.
