Everton chasing $31 million deal for Barcelona outcast Vitor Roque, talks with Premier League club ongoing

There is a new player in the guessing game of where Vitor Roque will be playing his football in 2024/25.

The Barcelona forward was effectively frozen out of the first-team picture by previous head coach Xavi after his transfer from Athletico Paranaense. He made his La Liga debut in January 2024 and scored his first goal for the Catalans at the end of that month. By the end of the season, he had played just 12 more times, starting only twice.

The player's agent criticised Xavi for failing to give him suitable opportunities to impress, and it seemed an exit would be inevitable. That was until a dramatic turn of events saw the Barca boss removed from his role and replaced by Hansi Flick , offering the youngster a fresh chance to make a name for himself in Catalonia.

Yet Barca are still in dire need of generating some income through player sales, and Vitor Roque offers an opportunity to offset the cost of signing Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig, even if Flick would be happy to keep him in the squad.

It now appears he could have the chance to try his luck in the Premier League.

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Everton chasing deal to sign Vitor Roque

Everton are reportedly pursuing a deal for the 19-year-old forward, according to Florian Plettenberg of Sky in Germany.

The report claims the Toffees offered a total package of around $31 million for the Brazilian, which was rejected swiftly, with Barca holding out for between $33m and $39m.

Everton are said to be in dialogue with Barca sporting director Deco, meaning the potential deal is certainly not yet dead in the water.

There's an element of risk to the transfer on all sides: Vitor Roque remains relatively unproven in European football, and the pace and style of the Premier League is different to that which he has experienced in Spain. Adapting quickly to Everton's less possession-based, more counter-attacking approach would be critical if he were to be a success on Merseyside.

Barca may also regret casting aside a young talent so soon after investing a sizeable total amount — reportedly an initial $33m, with much more in potential add-ons — rather than give him a chance to prove his worth and instead cash in on players with less long-term value, like Raphinha.

However, Barca's need to generate cash, Everton's wish to bolster an attack that might be about to lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Vitor Roque's desire to play regular football could all fall into place here. It certainly feels like a deal worth pursuing.