31-year-old Girona midfielder Oriol Romeu has reportedly become the priority target for La Liga champions Barcelona this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Oriol Romeu has become the top target for Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are prioritising signing the 31-year-old midfielder in the summer transfer window. And the experienced midfielder has a gentleman’s agreement with Girona to let him leave if they receive an offer from a bigger club.
Oriol Romeu has had an intriguing career thus far. The Spaniard is a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia Academy. But he managed only two appearances for the Blaugrana before moving abroad. He joined Chelsea over a decade ago but could not become a regular for the West London club.
The 31-year-old finally found stability in his career after joining Southampton in August 2015. And he enjoyed a fruitful seven-year stint with the Saints before returning to his homeland by moving to Girona last summer. Romeu’s move has worked out well for him, as he was a regular for Girona this past season.
The experienced midfielder has turned out 34 times thus far for the Catalan outfit, chipping in with two goals. But Romeu’s stint with Girona might end after just one season, with his former club Barcelona interested in re-signing him. And the report by Mundo Deportivo has claimed that he is the priority target for the reigning La Liga champions.
Romeu’s name first emerged on Barcelona’s radar in May. But the Catalan giants were prioritising signing other midfielders two months ago. Since then, Barcelona’s preferences have changed, with Sofyan Amrabat and Martin Zubimendi being too expensive for him. On the other hand, the former Chelsea midfielder can be a cost-effective solution.
The reigning La Liga champions have already approached Romeu’s entourage over a summer move. And the 31-year-old is keen on rejoining his former club before the summer transfer window shuts down. Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo has revealed that the player has a gentleman’s agreement with Girona.
Such an agreement concedes that Girona will accept an offer if a bigger club submits an offer to sign him. Meanwhile, the Catalan giants are ready to contact Girona to discuss a deal. But it will be interesting to see if the White and Reds are ready to make it easy for Barcelona to secure Romeu’s services.
