BARCELONA
Oriol Romeu becomes Barcelona’s third summer signing
The experienced midfielder has signed for Barça, who are set for their summer tour of the US.
Oriol Romeu has officially become Barcelona’s third summer signing for 2023-24 after Ilkay Gündogan and Iñigo Martínez joined the club. Vitor Roque has also signed with the club but won’t be making his debut until 2024.
Romeu has signed a contract for the next three seasons. He returns to Barça after spells at Chelsea, Valencia, Stuttgart, Southampton and Girona, with Barça paying around $4.5m to Girona for the deal.
It was a busy Monday for Romeu, who underwent a medical before completing the move. Xavi, one of the main drivers of the signing, wanted the player to be ready to travel on the US tour.
Busquets replacement
There are those at the club who doubt the 31-year-old and also those who believe that he will fit into a team that needs a player to cover the spot left by Sergio Busquets. He may not have his qualities, but Romeu knows the role.
US summer tour
Barça are going to the United States with almost a full squad. The club still want to sign a right-back and a creative midfielder if possible. A centre-forward could also be brought in to provide backup for Robert Lewandowski, but Xavi knows that he can use Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati in that position.
The right-back position is still up in the air. Sergiño Dest could leave the club. Sergi Roberto and Jules Koundé are not specialists in that area and they look to bolster it before the new season. The positions of centre-back (Araújo, Christensen, Iñigo, Eric and Koundé), left-back (Balde, Marcos Alonso), midfield (De Jong, Gündogan, Pedri, Gavi, Kessié), right-wing (Dembélé, Raphinha) and left-wing (Ansu, Ferran, Abde) appear to be covered.
Xavi believes that the mix between youth and experience can be a success at Barça next season.