Barcelona complete signing of midfielder Romeu from Girona

Barcelona have signed midfielder Oriol Romeu from Girona, the membership introduced on Wednesday, in a deal that sees midfielder Pablo Torre, 20, transfer within the different course on a season-long mortgage.

Romeu, 31, turns into Barca’s fourth arrival of the summer season following Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez and Vitor Roque, though the latter is not going to be a part of till 2024.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

The former Chelsea and Southampton participant returns to the membership the place he spent seven years when he was youthful earlier than shifting to England in 2011.

After progressing by Barca’s academy to make two first-team appearances, Romeu left for Chelsea as a 19-year-old for a payment of round €5 million ($5.6m).

Loan spells with Valencia and Stuttgart adopted earlier than a everlasting swap to Southampton, the place he spent seven years and remodeled 250 appearances.

Romeu returned to Spain final summer season and signed for Girona, the place he impressed on the base of their midfield because the Catalan aspect secured a Tenth-place end in LaLiga.

Barca’s curiosity in Romeu stemmed from their must fill the emptiness left by Sergio Busquets, who has joined Inter Miami, and the shortage of cash obtainable to pursue their main targets.

Sources advised ESPN that Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich have been each names championed by coach Xavi Hernandez, whereas Marcelo Brozovic, who not too long ago swapped Inter Milan for Al Nassr, was additionally thought-about.

However, with Barca working underneath strict monetary restrictions on account of being in extra of their LaLiga-imposed spending restrict, they have been pressured to discover options.

Romeu emerged as their first choice as a result of price of the deal, his performances with Girona final season and his data of the membership having come by the academy.

He turns into Barca’s second midfield signing of the summer season following the arrival of Gundogan, including to choices which already embrace Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie.

President Joan Laporta has mentioned Barca would additionally like so as to add one other midfielder to the squad, with Xavi beforehand requesting a “Santi Cazorla-type player” within the ultimate third, however additional incomings are prone to be conditioned by outgoings.

Torre, in the meantime, will be a part of Girona on a season-long mortgage as half of the settlement which sees Romeu signal for Barca.

After becoming a member of the Blaugrana from Racing Santander final 12 months, the attacking midfielder, who is just 20, has discovered common minutes onerous to return by and is want of common sport time within the Spanish high flight.