Deco: 'Final decision yet to be made on Vitor Roque arrival'

Barcelona sporting director Deco has said that a final decision on the timing of Vitor Roque's arrival at the La Liga champions has still not been made.

The Catalan outfit are planning to bring in a new player in January following Gavi's long-term injury, with the club able to use 80% of the midfielder's salary due to the length of his absence.

The club will not target a direct midfield replacement, and according to Marca, 'everything indicates' that Roque will be the player signed at the start of 2024.

Deco has said that a final call has not been made, but he hinted at the youngster's arrival in the winter market.

"Xavi and I are coordinated with regard to the market. We are not going to replace Gavi because there is no other player like him on the market and even less so in January," Deco told reporters.

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"We will see which position we will reinforce. We will probably opt for Vitor Roque, but nothing has been decided."

The 18-year-old's move to Barcelona from Athletico Paranaense has already been agreed, with the deal originally expected to take place next summer.

However, the Brazil international could potentially move to Camp Nou during the January window if the La Liga champions are able to put the right financial measures in place.

Roque started his professional career at Cruzeiro before moving to Atletico Paranaense in 2022, and he has represented his current side on 79 occasions, scoring 27 goals and registering 11 assists in the process.

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Describing the youngster earlier this month, Deco told SPORT: "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.

"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.

"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."

According to journalist Luis Rojo, Barcelona must tell La Liga 'in the coming days' whether they are intending to replace Gavi in their squad with Roque.

Barcelona, who drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday, are currently preparing for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Porto.