Barcelona have major Vitor Roque problem! Striker's agent rages at Xavi over game time and sends strong warning on €30m striker's future

Barcelona striker Vitor Roque has had a torrid time at the club since his January move and his agent has slammed the club for his lack of game time.

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• Barca want to send Roque on loan
• Roque's agent unhappy with bench role
• Says player could seek permanent transfer

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian striker made a sensational move to the Catalan side from Athletico Paranaense in the winter transfer window for a reported fee of €30 million (£26m/$32m). Recent reports have suggested that the club are looking to loan out the 19-year-old this summer as staying at the club would hinder his development due to a lack of playing time, something which has been an issue since his arrival.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After his move, the Brazilian made it directly into Xavi's squad as a regular substitute and also scored two goals in his first four matches for the club. However game time has been hard to come by in reent weeks and the forward has not played in any of Barca's last six game. His lack of game time has triggered his agent Andre Cury who has slammed the club's treatment of the youngster.

• WHAT CURY SAID

  Speaking to Catalan radio RAC1, Cury said: "Everyone thinks that Vitor Roque has to have more minutes and no one understands why the coach doesn't give them to him

  "Xavi has never spoken to the player. I do not understand this situation and I think it is not good for either party. I have told the boy that what he has to do is work even harder and wait for the opportunity.

  "In Barcelona there is a lot of press that talks nonsense, gives bad figures and says things that are not true. All this does not help. Look what has happened with Vinicius at Real Madrid. It has taken two seasons and a half to play and he's there. Here in Barcelona, in two months a mess is already created and people want to kill instead of help.

  "The boy has a contract with Barca. If we chose Barca, because we had other options to pay double, it is because we wanted to play for Barca. We are going to show and I am certain that Vitor is going to be a great player, but if Barca won't let him… The club, the coach or I don't know what's happening internally, we'll have to look for another way.

  "If the club does not give space to Vitor, unfortunately, we will have to talk to the club to find a solution. A loan for a young boy ends up harming him because he goes to another club that does not own him and has no interest in taking care of him. This is very dangerous for the boy's career.

  "The best thing is to stay at Barca, but if he can't stay we will work to get him to leave permanently. But I and the player chose to come to Barca for less than half the price. offers from other clubs. We are happy at Barca and we want to continue. If it is not possible, we will sit down with the president and with Deco to find a good solution for all parties."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ROQUE?

  The Brazilian will be hoping to feature in Barcelona's final games of the season but his future after that remains unclear. With his agent clear he's not interested in a loan, a summer sale certainly can't be ruled out.