Why did Barcelona pay €61m for Vitor Roque if he doesn't play a minute in Barca's biggest game of spring 2024?

€61 million paid, 310 minutes played for his new club. These are the stats of Vitor Roque, FC Barcelona's premium signing of January 2024.

For all the hype around the Brazilian striker, his transition to European football has been turbulent. Roque didn't feature a single minute in Barca's defeats to PSG in the Champions League (1-4) and Real Madrid in La Liga (2-3).

What other team, apart from maybe Man City, can afford not to play a mega-money signing like this? And mind you, Man City are at least not in a dire financial situation.

Roque's suppressed role is even more startling given Robert Lewandowski's form — the Pole has found the back of the net just twice in the club's last nine appearances. Roque was prolific at his former club, Atletico Paranaese, scoring 21 goals in 45 games across the season. In addition, he's already managed two for Barcelona in La Liga.

Vitor is not injured, so let's explore potential reasons for his prolonged absence.

The Brazilian is rumoured to put in a good effort in training and Xavi openly praised him, though with the caveat that Roque has to improve his positional play. Could it be the first touch that lets the Brazilian down?

Another potential reason Roque isn't playing a more prominent role might be financial. Barcelona only paid half the fee for the player in January, with the remaining €31m to be potentially unlocked in bonuses. What if the club simply don't have the money to cover those add-ons right now?

But a simpler explanation could be that Xavi wanted to rely on his trusted lieutenants for the decisive stretch of the campaign. The venture that ultimately failed, but any way you look at it — Roque simply doesn't have the experience of playing on Champions League nights or in El Clasico in front of a hostile audience.

Perhaps with the La Liga title all but gone, Xavi will rotate more and give Vitor Roque his minutes. But if not, then more questions will arise: won't Roque end up being another Keirrison?

With 35-year-old Lewandowski misfiring, the upcoming summer provides a talking point for the club and the next head coach. Who should they bank on to solve their goalscoring woes: keep faith in Lewandowski, gamble on Roque, or unlock the next big thing in Fermin Lopez? Have your say in the comments!