Two days ago, Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg and Sport said Barcelona have rejected a €25m bid from Everton for Vitor Roque.
The striker has clocked in 353 minutes from 16 games since he arrived at the Camp Nou in January. Hansi Flick has left him out of his plans and the La Liga side are looking to get rid of the 19-year-old this summer.
That’s according to Thursday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo, which reports Everton and a few other clubs want to sign him.
The Catalan club have to ‘expedite’ exit operations, to help them register a few players and carry out more signings.
Barca are urgently working to offload the Brazil international, Mikayil Faye and Clément Lenglet.
On Monday, Roque’s agent André Cury had a meeting with Barca, and they have told the representative he has a ‘free hand’ to negotiate with other clubs.
The Blaugrana paid €30m and Mundo say they are demanding at least the same figure to sell him. Sporting, Everton and AFC Bournemouth are named as his interested parties.
Sean Dyche’s side are said to have offered €25m plus €3m bonuses, which is at least €2m short of Barcelona’s request. These are ‘decisive hours’ to sort out the South American’s future.
Claims made elsewhere about Sporting interest are relayed by Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg. He says Everton are ‘still there’ and have held talks with Barcelona sporting director Deco over a potential deal.
Plettenberg adds the Toffees are willing to offer €28m, while the La Liga side want €30-35m for Roque. One thing is certain, Sporting won’t be offering anything close to any of those figures.
Everton may be able to hold this one out and even pressure for a loan, depending largely on how serious the interest is from elsewhere.
