FC Barcelona has several matters to solve in the remainder of the newly started month of August. One in particular is the situation of Oriol Romeu, with one year left on his contract and without Hansi Flick's trust. His last season on loan at Girona was not positive at all, and now he is looking for a different destination. He has several offers, but all set the same condition: he must arrive as a free agent, for zero euros.
All parties are aware of this condition, with Barça willing to let Oriol Romeu leave as long as he forgives the year remaining on his contract. At the time, he did not represent a very high cost (just over €3 million) and he is more than amortized. What the blaugrana team wants is to get rid of his salary, thus freeing up wage space to be able to register other footballers.
Neither Barça nor Girona
At times, it seemed that his return to Girona was close, but right now that option seems very distant. Given the current situation, in recent days a possibility has emerged that is gaining a lot of ground.
"La Nueva España" has revealed that newly promoted Oviedo is interested in signing Oriol Romeu. At 33, they see him as an option to add experience and leadership to its midfield. He is highly regarded in Asturias, to the point that negotiations have already started, although they are still in the initial phase.
Romeu views the possibility of playing for Oviedo favorably, something Madrid-Barcelona has learned. In any case, the condition set by the Asturians is the same as that of the other interested parties: he must terminate his contract and arrive for free.
Long career in Europe
Oriol Romeu continues to make headlines in Spanish soccer. At 33, the Catalan midfielder remains an interesting option for several First Division teams, who value his experience, tactical solidity, and ability to keep the game steady from the defensive midfield.
His career has not been conventional. Romeu has had a long career across Europe, which has led him to compete in three of the continent's top leagues. He took his first steps in professional soccer with FC Barcelona, making his first-team debut in 2010. His potential quickly took him to the Premier League, signing for Chelsea, where he accumulated important minutes and matured as a footballer.
He later spent time in Germany with Stuttgart and established himself in England with Southampton, where he became one of the most reliable defensive midfielders in the league. In 2022, he returned to Spain to play for Girona, performing at a high level, which opened the door for an unexpected return to FC Barcelona in 2023.
Although his role at Camp Nou has been limited, his quality remains intact. Romeu continues to be a highly valued footballer for his tactical intelligence, good positioning, and ability to protect the defense. He has offers on the table and his future could be solved soon.
What is clear is that Oriol Romeu has not yet said his last word in the elite of Spanish soccer, and now he is targeting newly promoted Oviedo.