Decisive hours in Barcelona's pursuit of Girona midfielder Oriol Romeu
Barça want to sign a replacement for Busquets and are eyeing a move for Romeu
After discarding the "unviable options" to strengthen the pivot position following the departure of Sergio Busquets, Barcelona want to make an imminent decision on Oriol Romeu. The Girona midfielder is on the agenda and coach Xavi Hernandez has already approved his arrival.
Romeu's profile is not as glamorous as that of other names that have been on the table in recent weeks, but he is one of those who best fits the delicate financial reality of the club.
The next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial for the signing. Barcelona, in fact, have the operation designed: they have already agreed the conditions with the Catalan player, who would sign a contract for two fixed seasons (until 30 June 2025) plus another optional year, and now must determine whether or not to initiate the procedures to reach an agreement with Girona.
The top sports officials will meet soon to decide whether this is the most convincing alternative or whether it is still too early to start the offensive. If it generates consensus, Barça will seek an amicable entente for an amount close to the player's termination clause, located between six and ten million euros, so as not to hinder the good relations with the Montilivi team.
Performances
Xavi has made it very clear that a proven pivot must arrive this summer. Romeu, who played seven consecutive seasons in the Premier League and has just completed an extraordinary campaign in the Spanish Primera Division, guarantees a more than adequate competitive level to have continuity at pivot, especially in a midfield with four midfielders.
His possible signing, moreover, would not slow down the progression of promising young La Masia players such as Marc Casadó, Pau Prim, Gerard Hernández and Marc Bernal, the four pearls that Joan Laporta highlighted in his recent interview with 'La Vanguardia'.
