Three lessons Barcelona must learn from the Vitor Roque transfer | OneFootball

Barcelona have officially completed the transfer of Vitor Roque to Palmeiras, securing an initial fee of €25.5 million, with an additional €5 million possible through performance-related bonuses.

This move marks the conclusion of another attempt by the club to integrate a Brazilian talent into their squad, one that ultimately did not work out as planned.

Despite arriving with significant expectations, Roque never truly managed to justify the hype surrounding his transfer.

Although there were brief flashes of quality, he struggled to establish himself within the team.

Even if his loan spell at Real Betis had unfolded successfully, the reality is that there would have been no guaranteed spot for him in Barcelona’s squad next season.

This case highlights some critical lessons that the club must take into account to avoid repeating similar mistakes in the future. These lessons, while seemingly obvious, are crucial for Barcelona’s long-term strategy.

Managing expectations is essential

Vitor Roque was never going to work out at Barcelona. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

One of the biggest takeaways from Roque’s time at Barcelona is the importance of handling expectations.

His transfer fee, the anticipation surrounding his arrival, and the dramatic announcements created a level of pressure that was always going to be difficult to match.

Barcelona presented him as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, further elevating expectations that he could not meet.

In contrast, other players arrived at the club with little fanfare. Without excessive hype, he was able to develop gradually, ultimately becoming one of the cornerstones of the project.

This serves as a clear example of how Barcelona should approach young signings in the future—letting their performances on the pitch dictate the narrative rather than inflating expectations from the outset.

Prioritising La Masia over costly young signings

Expectations were huge on Roque. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Another key lesson from Roque’s short-lived spell at the club is that Barcelona must be more selective when investing in young talent from the international market.

If the club already has emerging players from La Masia in a specific position, there is little sense in spending millions on external prospects unless they are clearly superior.

Given the club’s ongoing financial constraints, Deco and his management team need to focus on nurturing homegrown talent rather than making high-risk signings.

Players like Eric Garcia and Fermin Lopez have already shown they can step up, while budget-friendly additions.

This reinforces the idea that Barcelona can build a strong squad without splashing out on young prospects who may not even fit into the system.

This approach not only helps the club financially but also provides a clearer path for academy players to break into the first team.

Investing heavily in young talents from outside the club without a clear plan for their integration often leads to situations like Roque’s, where a player with potential ultimately ends up being surplus to requirements.

La Liga’s opposition to the deal

La Liga opposed Vitor Roque’s sale. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Initially, La Liga attempted to block Roque’s transfer, arguing that it violated one of the Spanish Federation’s general regulations.

However, FIFA did not share the same view, which allowed Barcelona to finalise the sale without issue. This situation raises questions about the league’s stance on the matter.

It is no secret that Javier Tebas was displeased with Barcelona’s decision to turn to FIFA for approval. La Liga’s financial control mechanisms have often placed restrictions on the club, and this case was no different.

However, the fact that FIFA had no objections suggests that the governing body saw no legal impediments to the move.

Why La Liga took a different stance remains open to interpretation, but it is clear that Barcelona managed to navigate the situation in a way that benefited them financially.