André Cury reveals unpublished details about the transfer of Vitor Roque al Palmeiras: "If it were for Barça ..."

The representative of Vitor Roque, André Cury, continues to reveal details about the transaction that led the 20-year-old forward to Palmeiras. A transfer that, according to several sources, was finalized in a sale of €25.5 million plus another five 'kilos' in variables, corresponding to 80% of the player's ownership.

This operation marked the closure of one of the most controversial chapters in recent history of FC Barcelona, a team that was compelled to part ways with a player for whom they had made a significant investment, with hopes that he could become the successor of Robert Lewandowski. Unfortunately, he did not perform as expected from the outset.

Cury explains the key to unlocking Vitor Roque's transfer to Palmeiras

In an interview with the Brazilian media 'UOL Esporte', André Cury explained how the transfer of Vitor Roque to Palmeiras was carried out, unexpectedly diminishing the merit of FC Barcelona for their involvement in the operation. "If it had depended on Barça, the answer would have been 'no'. So, I met with Anderson (Barros) and Leo Holanda (legal representative of 'Verdão'), and along with a lawyer in Madrid, we proceeded and succeeded in obtaining a favorable opinion from FIFA. It was an incredible and well-executed job," he stated.

It is important to remember that at one point, there were concerns that the operation might not materialize, as when it began, the winter transfer market in Spain was already closed. Disentangling 'Tigrinho' from Real Betis (the club where he was on loan from the start of the 2024-25 season) to then link him back to Barcelona and proceed with the sale seemed like an impossible challenge. However, after FIFA's approval, the operation swiftly progressed, with the 'verdiblanco' team releasing the player and Barça engaging in negotiations for the sale.

'Tigrinho' was not particularly motivated to return to Brazil

Theoretically, this transfer represented a step back for Vitor Roque, but from André Cury's perspective, it was a positive move, highlighting the opportunity for the former Athletico Paranaense player to rediscover himself as a player in Brazil, with a top South American team like Palmeiras, and then return to Europe to seek his footballing revenge. "Vitor can play two, three, or four seasons here at Palmeiras and still have the chance to return to Europe and even to the Brazilian national team. I believe that the '9' position is still open today, although we have sensational forwards in Brazilian football," he asserted.

"Vitor can play two, three, or four seasons here at Palmeiras and still have the chance to return to Europe"

Although initially, Vitor Roque was not convinced about returning to Brazil, André Cury managed to persuade him by citing the cases of two particular players, Henrique and Keirrison. "At first, he didn't want to because he was already in Europe, but I told him what happened with Henrique and Keirrison... A huge European club buys the player and then doesn't have space for him, starting to loan him out to other clubs," he recalled.

"At first, he didn't want to because he was already in Europe, but I told him what happened with Henrique and Keirrison"

Cury recalls the 'Keirrison case'

Regarding Keirrison, a player who had a less than stellar spell at FC Barcelona and who was also represented by André Cury, who took him to Barcelona in 2009, expressed regret for facilitating the forward's arrival in the Catalan capital. "I wouldn't have taken Keirrison to Barcelona. In Brazil, he scored 66 goals in a year and a half, but in my view, he didn't fit Barcelona's style of play, similar to what happened with Ibrahimovic. Keirrison was a top player, but a finisher. I wouldn't have done it, even for him. Barcelona wanted the player to swap with Valencia for Villa or with Atlético for Forlán. And then, he ended up being loaned to Benfica, then to Fiorentina, then to Santos, where he won the Libertadores, and eventually at Cruzeiro," he concluded.