The injury to Gavi last month came as a devastating blow for FC Barcelona, for the midfielder was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to the ACL rupture in his right knee.
What it also did was opened up a window for the Catalans to bring in a new player as an emergency signing in January, as long as the player’s wages were limited to 80% of Gavi’s salary and it were a short-term arrangement until the end of the season.
Barça considered the possibility of signing another midfielder by taking advantage of the regulation but soon learned that they could also make use of it to register Vitor Roque in January, and have decided to go down that route.
Barcelona inform La Liga of decision
And, now RAC1 is reporting that Barcelona have already informed La Liga about their decision to bring in Vitor Roque in January by taking advantage of Gavi’s absence. Only the validation from the league is now pending for the operation to go ahead.
Even though Roque has a long-term contract until 2031 with Barcelona, which he signed last summer, it will come into force only next summer. Instead, his arrival in January until the end of the season would be treated as a loan deal from Athletico Paranaense.
Essentially, Gavi will be deregistered from La Liga as he will not be playing again for the remainder of the season and his place will be filled by Roque.
As for Gavi, the idea is to get him registered in the summer, without relying on the precautionary measure that was issued by the court earlier this year.
Roque back up and running
Roque had picked up an injury in September earlier this year, but made his comeback last recently with Athletico Paranaense.
In his second match after return, last night, Roque even got back to goalscoring ways, finding the back of the net in a 1-1 draw against Cruzeiro.
It certainly bodes well for Barcelona, who have plans to incorporate Roque in January, with a potential date for his debut also being identified.