On Christmas Eve, we covered claims from Spain that Tottenham Hotspur scouted Real Betis’ Vitor Roque against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend.
The La Liga side took the striker on loan from Barcelona in the summer and have a buying option, or can extend his loan deal [with an option to buy] until 2026.
Estadio Deportivo state Tottenham want to sign the 19-year-old in January, but it won’t be easy for them.
Barca have an urgent need to raise funds in order to carry out signings and to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor for the second half of the season. Therefore, they are ‘pressing to sell’ the Brazil international in the winter market.
This has seen Palmeiras table a €20m bid, while Tottenham’s ‘pounds are putting pressure on all parties’ to sign Roque. The report then says ‘tempting salaries’, indicating the north London club would also improve his wages.
Estadio found out from the South American’s camp that they appreciate interest shown by Tottenham and others, but he isn’t thinking about leaving Real Betis at least until the end of this season. This makes it complicated for Spurs to sign Roque in the next window.
“Vitor Roque stays at Betis,” a source close to the player told the newspaper.
Barcelona, for their part, want to get rid of the player permanently at the latest by next summer.
Roque has managed six goals and two assists from 23 games for Real Betis this season.
