Benfica is looking to part ways with the Brazilian pivot, and the Barcelona club is contemplating a short or medium-term move.
The name of Vinícius Nunes Rocha is making a strong impact on the Barcelona market. Benfica has opened the exit door for the left-footed pivot. It was confirmed that an offer for the Brazilian international is currently on Jordi Torras’ table. The Barça Team Manager is considering a short or medium-term operation, which could potentially be the highlight of the next transfer window.
The 28-year-old goal-scorer arrived in Lisbon in 2022 from Carlos Barbosa but has seen a decline in his playing time.
Last season, he scored 37 goals in 44 games, while this season, he has only played 7 games and scored 7 goals. It’s noteworthy that the São Paulo native began his career at Corinthians in 2016, then moved through Magnus Futsal in 2017 and 2018, playing alongside Falcão. He later joined Europe and played 101 games for Sporting in Portugal, scoring 63 goals from 2018 to 2021.
This presents a market opportunity to acquire a player who has always been admired by Barcelona’s sports management. It’s an operation that would receive approval from Jesús Velasco. Rocha’s current situation has been affected by the regulatory constraints in the Portuguese Placard League. Where only 5 foreigners are allowed in the field, placing him behind his compatriots and a Russian player in the selection order.
Several obstacles need resolution for the operation to be feasible in the short term. The primary challenge is obtaining the player’s release on a free transfer. Benfica, having paid close to 40,000 euros to Carlos Barbosa, is reluctant to let him go without compensation. However, Rocha is among the highest earners at Benfica, and his departure would help reduce the salary burden. Ppotentially facilitating a bid for Alan, the center from Braga.
Barcelona faces financial constraints and cannot afford significant expenditures.
Jordi Torras secured approval from the Board of Directors in August to sign Alex Yepes as a substitute for the injured Ferrao. But additional financial commitments are challenging. If Benfica grants Rocha a free transfer, Barcelona might approach the deal as a financial engineering exercise. Offering Rocha a long contract to amortize the winter market signing costs over future budgets.
Rocha’s inability to play in the UEFA Futsal Champions League Final Four due to prior commitments makes him unavailable as a threat for Benfica in hypothetical clashes with Barcelona. However, he could be a valuable addition for other national competitions. If a deal doesn’t materialize now, Rocha is willing to wait until June to sign for Barcelona at zero cost.
Coach Marquinhos Xavier maintains confidence in Rocha and has called him up for the Copa América. The next steps for Barcelona include clarifying goalkeeper Dãdac Plana’s future and determining Jesús Velasco’s fate on the bench before the end of January. Despite a setback in the Spanish Super Cup, internal confidence in Velasco remains strong, with expectations of a new contract in the coming weeks.
Sergio Lozano has begun training with the team. Aiming to return in February after the national team break, and negotiations for his renewal will occur at that time. Ferrao’s situation is more complex, with the Brazilian center working towards a return in the season’s final stretch. The potential arrival of Rocha, either now or in June, is not expected to impact Ferrao’s contract. Additionally, Sporting and Benfica are set for a tough battle over the signing of Portuguese striker André Coelho in June, as reported by Relevo.
