Barcelona forward Vitor Roque has joined Real Betis on a season-long loan just eight months after signing for the Catalan side in a deal worth an initial 35 million euros ($39 million).
Betis will pay Roque's salary in full and also has the option to extend the Brazilian's loan for a second season. Another clause has also been included that would allow the contract to become permanent.
The 19-year-old arrived in Sevilla over the weekend after opting to remain in LaLiga despite interest from Portuguese club Sporting Clube, and Betis confirmed the signing on Monday.
Barça only signed Roque in January from Athletico Paranaense, but the youngster, who has only been capped once by Brazil, struggled to get playing time under his former coach Xavi Hernández.
He made 16 appearances last season, scoring twice, but most of his outings were as a substitute, with Robert Lewandowski preferred as No.9.
Roque was given the chance to impress new manager Hansi Flick in pre-season, but with a back-up role likely again at Barca this season, coupled with the club's financial problems, he was encouraged to leave.
“In some situations, also for the player, it's sometimes good,” Flick said of Roque's signing at a press conference on Monday. “I can't just speak about what I heard when I spoke to him. He came in a situation that wasn't easy for him.”
“It's a good opportunity for him to play, he's doing a lot of things very well. He's a very good kid and we're keeping our fingers crossed that he plays very well and improves.”
Several other players are on the verge of leaving Barca this week as the Catalan side look to free up enough space to register new signing Dani Olmo in LaLiga.
Olmo, signed for 55 million euros ($61 million) from RB Leipzig, has missed Barca's first two games of the season, wins against Valencia and Athletic Club, because the Catalan club has exceeded the league's spending limit and is currently unable to register him.
Meanwhile, Clément Lenglet has joined Atlético Madrid on loan after extending his contract with Barça until 2027, the club announced on Monday.
Defender Mika Faye joined Rennes on Sunday for an initial fee of 10.3 million euros ($11.5 million), with Barca including a 25 million euro clause to re-sign the player or a 30% cut of any future transfer.
Full-back Alex Valle is another to leave. The 20-year-old flew to Glasgow on Monday ahead of completing his loan move to Celtic.
Valle was on loan at Levante last year and will now continue his development in Scotland, where he will have the opportunity to play in the Champions League.
