Transfer Centre

Deco rules out January transfer business for Barcelona

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 15 November 2023

Barcelona sporting director Deco says that his club will not be active in January even if they are unable to bring in Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has said that his club will not be active in January even if they are unable to sign Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense at the start of 2024.

Roque, 18, has already agreed to make the move to Camp Nou, although there remains confusion over whether he will move to the La Liga champions in January, or at the end of the campaign.

Barcelona's financial problems could yet prevent them from signing the teenager in January, and Deco has said that no transfer business will take place in the winter market, even if Roque stays in Brazil until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

"When the squad was drawn up, it was intended for the entire year. And that idea has not changed nor will it change regardless of fair play. I don't think we can make any move in January regardless of what happens with Roque," Deco told SPORT.

"There were some changes in La Liga and we have to see it. We have people in the club, financiers, people from La Liga, people who interpret the regulations depending on our situation. We will meet with all this and see how we can face this."

Athletico Paranaense's Vitor Roque celebrates scoring their first goal on July 2, 2022 © Reuters

Roque is regarded as one of the best young talents in Brazil, and he has already made his debut for the national side, featuring against Morocco in a friendly earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the attacker has 27 goals and 11 assists in 78 appearances for his current side in all competitions, and Deco has opened up on his qualities.

"He is a kid who has a goal. And that is very difficult to find. All clubs are looking for a goal. He is young and has important forward movements," said the club's former midfielder.

"He looks for space a lot, he presses, he moves very well behind the centre backs. He can be a great player in world football.

Athletico Paranaense's Vitor Roque celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on June 21, 2023 © Reuters

"Vitor [Roque] is not a bet of mine. He is a bet of the club. The scouting department also gave its approval, he is a bet of the president, who also listened to my opinion, and also a bet of Xavi. Roque wouldn't be here if it weren't for Xavi's approval."

Deco also said that playing alongside Robert Lewandowski will help bring Roque's game forward.

"If I were Vitor Roque I would like to have a Lewandowski, of course. As a footballer I would have liked to play with Robert," he added.

"You always like to play with the good guys. I think Vitor would love to have the best players at his side and we know that 'Lewy' is one of the best in the world. He has made history and is still making history."

Barcelona will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins in Spain's top flight when they travel to Rayo Vallecano after the international break.