The outgoing operation needs to speed up at Barça over the next few weeks. After closing the goalkeeper position and having Nico Williams's signing on track, Joan Laporta doesn't want to waste time. In order to register, players have to leave, so a long summer is looming in this regard. Several players are on the transfer list, but what the president didn't expect is the return of one who poses a problem: Oriol Romeu.
Girona doesn't want Oriol Romeu
In the summer of 2023, Xavi Hernández requested the signing of Oriol Romeu, who arrived from Girona for €3.4 million (€3.4 million). Barça paid his release clause and managed to register him without any problem. Although he started performing well, his level dropped and he gradually lost importance in the squad.
The following summer, Hansi Flick was clear that he didn't count on the Catalan midfielder and a way out was sought for him. After exploring different proposals, he returned to Girona on loan. But things there haven't gone as he expected. He's about to turn 34 years old and has only played 31 matches this past season between La Liga and the Champions League.
Contract termination for Oriol Romeu
Míchel has given the green light for Oriol Romeu to return to Barcelona, which now has a problem. The Catalan has a valid contract until 2026 and it seems unlikely that anyone will pay for him.
Given this scenario, Laporta's plan is to offer him a letter of freedom, paying him compensation and letting him choose his next destination.
Madrid-Barcelona has learned that the plan is for Romeu not to rejoin Barcelona's training sessions, which will start in mid-July. He's not part of the plans and they want to prevent a scenario in which there's a clear outcast at Ciutat Esportiva.
Oriol Romeu is clear about his future and it doesn't seem like he'll cause too many problems. His time at Barça is more than over and his entourage has been working for weeks to find a new destination. A year and a half ago, he had a deal with Besiktas, but his partner talked him out of it. It remains to be seen if this interest is still there...