With Barcelona aiming to finalise the transfer of a new pivot midfielder before pre-season starts next week, Oriol Romeu has jumped at the top of the club’s wishlist.
And, according to SPORT, Romeu is waiting for Barcelona and Girona to finalise their negotiations so that he can seal a move back to his boyhood club this summer.
The report indicates that the Blaugrana are offering the 31-year-old La Liga midfield enforcer a contract that is similar to that of Ilkay Gundogan in duration, i.e., it will be a two-year deal with an option for a third.
And Romeu would be happy to accept that proposal. The midfielder knows the interest of the Catalan outfit and has the first proposal on his table which is willing to accept.
With an agreement on the player side unlikely to be a problem, Barcelona will now focus on striking one with Girona over Romeu’s transfer.
The former Southampton midfielder is believed to have a release clause worth €10 million embedded in his current contract. Barça, though, are hoping to reduce that valuation further, possibly by half, by offering Girona a young player in exchange.
Estanis Pedrola is a name that is liked at Montilivi and is likely to leave Barcelona this summer. He could potentially end up being involved in the deal although there is still nothing concrete on that part of the operation yet.
What is certain is that Barcelona are fixated on Romeu, with the technical staff giving the OK and the operation being seen as feasible by the club. However, incoming director Deco wants to wait and see if there are any other possible options on the market.
Xavi, though, wants the signing to be wrapped up in time for pre-season so that the former La Masia ace has enough time to get accustomed to his new teammates.
