Barcelonaare working on a Ԁєɑł to resignGironamidfield lynchpinOriol Romeuas part of an unexpected move byXavi.
The La Blaugrana head coach was firm in his post season assessment that a midfield pivot replacement forSergio Busquetswas a crucial summer objective.
Following initial links withReal Sociedad schemer Martin Zubimeni, Xavi has changed his target list, with the Basque midfielder staying in San Sebastian.
Ilkay Gundogan’s free transfer arrival will add vital experience to the Barcelona engine roombut the German international is not a No.6.
Romeu has emerged on Xavi’s radar as a contingency choice but the 31-year-old is unlikely to get pulses racing with his combative style.
The formerBarcelonayouth player returned to Catalonia last summer, after opting to leave Premier League side Southampton, ahead of the 2022/23 season.
He played 33La Ligagames atGironalast season as a key part of their 10th place league finish.
Despite not grabbing many headlines, Romeu was fourth in the list of blocks from La Liga midfielders in 2022/23, and top for his rate of successful take ons (83%) across midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.
The ability to quickly snuff out opposition attacks with a key block, before a threat can develop, was a key aspect of Busquets’ game and Romeu can offer some cover in that area.
Despite not always looking to cover too much ground, his statistics show a clear ability to break thɾօυɢҺ opposition midfield presses, and get his team higher up the pitch.
Romeu is not a direct, or comparable replacement for Busquets, but he can offer grit and versatility to Xavi’s young team.
As per ɾєρօɾτs fromMundo Deportivo, Xavi has reiterated his desire to get a Ԁєɑł completed quickly, with sporting directorDecotasked with finalising an agreement withGirona, before the squad leave on their preseason tour of the USA.
