By Tom Gott
Barcelona manager Xavi has admitted a decision on Vitor Roque's future at the club will be made this summer.
The Brazilian's agent recently warned Xavi that he must find more minutes for Roque or a permanent exit from Barcelona will be pursued, rejecting reports that the 19-year-old could leave on loan for the 2024/25 season.
In the game that followed the threat of Roque's agent, Monday's 2-0 win over Real Sociedad, Xavi once again declined to give any minutes to the youngster.
"He suffered a severe blow to his ankle and was in trouble," Xavi explained after the game. "He couldn't even warm up."
Pressed on the comments from Roque's agent, Xavi added: "I don't respond to player agents. We will make decisions at the end of the season and internally.
"There is competition for minutes at Barca. As the coach, I see it that there are players in better condition to participate and nothing more. [Roque] is young, competing with great players."
According to SPORT, Barcelona have not yet communicated any decision to Roque's representatives, who remain adamant that they will leave Catalonia permanently this summer if there is not a significant increase in Roque's minutes.
Since joining in January, Roque has played just 310 minutes across 13 appearances, the last of which came on April 13.
Numerous reports in Spain claim that Xavi simply does not believe Roque is good enough to help the team at the minute, although Barcelona have not yet given up on his long-term potential.
However, Roque's entourage are not prepared to spend more time on the fringes of the team and will look for a permanent exit this summer if necessary, although the final decision remains with Barcelona as the young striker still has a whopping seven years left to run on his contract.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Xavi responds to Vitor Roque's Barcelona exit ultimatum.
