Anger at Girona over Barcelona's calls to midfield target Oriol Romeu

Barcelona's approach to Oriol Romeu has not gone down well at Girona.

"We know that Xavi has called our player and Oriol Romeu is not a free [agent], he has a contract with Girona until 2025, so I would say that this cannot be done," explained the Montilivi club.

They add that it would be good that, if Barça really want the player, the communication takes place between clubs, especially taking into account the good relationship between the two directives.

The Catalan midfielder has been one of the most outstanding players in Míchel's team in the season that has just ended and Girona would not like to be without him, although they are aware of Barça's interest and also that Romeu would be delighted to return to what was his home.

The player from Ulldecona has become a Barça target after other options have fallen by the wayside to reinforce the central midfield position following the departure of Sergio Busquets.

Martin Zubimendi, Xavi's favourite, is very expensive. It is beyond the reach of the ailing Barça economy, as the president himself, Joan Laporta, has acknowledged. Another option is Marcelo Brozovic, but Barça, as Laporta also acknowledged, are not in a position to enter into an auction with Al Nassr.

The clause

As the midfield position is very important for Xavi, the coach has been involved in the search for Busquets' replacement, thinking now of Romeu.

From Girona, they explain that nobody from Barça has approached them and that the player is not for sale, so if he wants to leave it will be after the payment of his termination clause, which is less than €10 million euros.