Liverpool legend ready to RUIN Barcelona transfer plans

Barcelona’s financial woes have long been apparent.

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From the economic “levers” that club president Joan Laporta has been constantly pulling to being unable to register players due to salary restrictions, it’s been anything but plain sailing for Barca in recent seasons.

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Still, they will have been hoping to recoup some money on player trading in the transfer market but even that is proving far from straightforward.

Brasileiro side Palmeiras have been showing interest in signing Barca outcast Vitor Roque with one eye on reestablishing themselves as South American regional powerhouses ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Roque, a 19-year-old Brazilian striker, is currently on loan at Real Betis for one season - with the option of a second. The La Liga club have a purchase option for €25m in exchange for 80 percent of his economic rights at the end of each campaign.

Palmeiras are reported to have made an offer of €27m for 80 percent of Roque’s rights in January but no deal came to fruition. And now Barca’s plan to offload a player they paid an initial €30m for in January 2024 could well be scuppered by a Liverpool legend.

Barca plan ruined by Firmino

Roberto Firmino, 33, is currently in the Saudi Pro League with Al Ahli but it appears his disappointing spell in the SPL is drawing to a close.

He is wanted by Palmeiras to spearhead their Club World Cup campaign with the possibility of joining them before the tournament kicks off in June.

Given that the Spanish transfer window doesn’t open until July, it’s possible Firmino replaces Roque in Palmeiras’ plans. And if Palmeiras opt to sign Firmino instead of Roque then Barca will be forced to look for alternative suitors for the frontman.

Sport in Spain reports that Firmino has got a genuine interest in playing top-level football in Brazil considering he’s never represented a major club in his homeland. It also claims that discussions with Firmino are in the early stages and direct contact has been established with Roque’s camp.

Meanwhile, If Barca fail to secure a decent transfer fee then Liverpool might well have one less destination for Luis Diaz. It’s believed the Colombian would consider his future this summer owing to a dissatisfaction with his current contract.

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Barca had earlier identified the 28-year-old as a transfer priority but if they cannot replenish their coffers then sporting director Deco could well be frustrated in the market.

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