Barcelona’s summer transfer window is heating up—and not just with new signings. Veteran midfielder Oriol Romeu is now reportedly pushing to terminate his contract with the club, marking another significant shift in the squad as new manager Hansi Flick reshapes the team.
Highlights:
- Oriol Romeu wants to leave Barcelona and terminate his contract early.
- He’s not part of the preseason squad and has fallen out of favor.
- Girona and Valencia are possible destinations.
- Barça wants to cut salary costs and build a younger squad.
Why Romeu Wants to Leave
Romeu, who returned to Barcelona last summer from Girona, was brought in as a short-term solution to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets. However, things haven’t gone according to plan. After a strong start, his playing time diminished significantly under Xavi—and now under Flick, he seems completely out of the picture.
According to reports, Romeu is not part of Barcelona’s preseason Asia tour squad, which strongly suggests he is no longer in Flick’s plans. With just one year left on his deal, the 32-year-old midfielder is now negotiating an early contract termination.
Mutual Exit Strategy
Barcelona and Romeu are said to be working toward a mutual agreement that allows him to walk away from the final year of his contract. This would free up a salary slot for Barça and allow Romeu to join another club where he can get regular minutes.
While no official decision has been made yet, both Girona and Valencia are reportedly interested in bringing him back. Girona, in particular, could be an ideal landing spot, as Romeu played some of his best football there before rejoining Barça.
Why This Matters for Barcelona
Barcelona’s financial issues are no secret. The club is under constant pressure to reduce its wage bill to stay compliant with La Liga’s strict financial fair play regulations. Letting go of Romeu, who is no longer seen as a key player, would give them a little more breathing room.
Additionally, the midfield is already packed with talent—Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and even Marc Casadó from the academy are all ahead of Romeu in the pecking order.
What It Means for the Squad
Hansi Flick is making it clear that he wants a younger, faster, and more dynamic midfield. Romeu, though reliable, doesn’t fit that mold. His likely exit continues the trend of Barcelona trimming down older or fringe players to create room for youth and potential new signings.
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Other names like Clément Lenglet and Iñaki Peña have also been in the headlines recently for possible exits, signaling a broader clean-up effort behind the scenes.
Why US Fans Should Pay Attention
This may not be a blockbuster transfer, but it’s part of a bigger puzzle. For fans in the U.S. who follow Barcelona or La Liga, Romeu’s exit is a reminder that European clubs often have to balance loyalty with long-term planning. It also opens the door for young talents to shine—something American fans can relate to with their growing interest in youth development and MLS academies.
