Barca loan out struggling striker Roque, French defender Lenglet

Barca loan out struggling striker Roque, French defender Lenglet

The Brazilian forward scored two goals in 16 games after joining the club for around €30 million last year.

APTOPIX Spain Soccer La Liga Barcelona's Vitor Roque, left, celebrates after scoring against Osasuna during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Osasuna at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Vitor Roque failed to make an impact in his first few months at Barcelona. (AP pic)
BARCELONA:
Barcelona loaned striker Vitor Roque to fellow La Liga side Real Betis today after he failed to make an impact in his first few months at the club.

The Catalan giants also loaned centreback Clement Lenglet to title rivals Atletico Madrid.

Brazilian forward Roque arrived from Athletico Paranaense in January after Barca signed him for around €30 million in July 2023.

Roque scored two goals in 16 games for the club as Barcelona watched rivals Real Madrid lift La Liga and the Champions League.

“Agreement reached between FC Barcelona and Real Betis for the loan of Vitor Roque until June 30 2025, with the option of another year,” said Barcelona in a statement.

The Catalan giants confirmed Betis also have an option to buy the 19-year-old.

French defender Lenglet, 29, joins Atletico until the end of the season, after previous loans to Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Barcelona have not been able to register summer signing Dani Olmo with La Liga yet, owing to their economic difficulties and the league’s strict financial rules.

They let Ilkay Gundogan return to Manchester City last week and coach Hansi Flick was hopeful it would give the club enough room to register Olmo, but the playmaker was not available to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.