Barcelona sweating over Vitor Roque injury after striker stretchered off for Athletico Paranaense
- Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Roque next year
- 18-year-old was stretchered off early against Internacional
- Fears he could miss up to three months of action
By Tom Gott
Barcelona-bound Vitor Roque was stretchered off early in Athletico Paranaense's 2-1 win over Internacional on Thursday evening, leaving the Catalan side sweating over his fitness.
During the summer, Barcelona agreed a deal worth up to £52m to sign 18-year-old Roque, who will complete his domestic season in Brazil before moving to Spain next year, with Barca hopeful his arrival will come as soon as January.
Roque has enjoyed an excellent campaign for Athletico, bagging 20 goals in 42 games, but may have made his last appearance for the club after going down just seven minutes into Thursday's game.
The teenager was tackled as he attempted to run down the wing and appeared to get his ankle caught under him, screaming in pain and eventually requiring a stretcher to leave the field.
"The medical department will evaluate the time to return. It is still very early. The ankle suffered more damage," coach Wesley Carvalho commented after the game.
While formal tests have not yet been conducted, AS report that there are fears Roque has suffered a serious ankle injury which could keep him sidelined for around three months.
Such a recovery period would mean Roque would not return before the end of the Brazilian season and would likely derail his hopes of making an immediate impact at Barcelona if he does join in January.
Barcelona had been hoping to bring Roque over to Catalonia this winter, with manager Xavi confident he will be working with the striker soon.
"Deco tells me he will come in January. We will see in January, but in principle there is no problem," Xavi said.
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