Barcelona could terminate forgotten veteran’s contract similar to Clement Lenglet | OneFootball

Oriol Romeu has returned to FC Barcelona following a season-long loan at Girona – the very club he left back in 2023 to join the La Liga champions.

Romeu did not feature in Hansi Flick’s plans and returned to Montilivi last summer, where he had previously excelled under Michel, to compete in the UEFA Champions League.

However, the midfielder did not reach the level that he had shown at Girona back in 2022/23, which helped him earn a move to Barça.

Now, at 33 years of age, Romeu has returned to the Blaugrana, with one season remaining on his contract.

Contract termination an option for Romeu

According to SPORT, Barcelona could explore the possibility of mutually terminating Romeu’s contract – similar to the arrangement recently reached with Clement Lenglet.

The French defender, who still had two years left on his contract, was paid a small compensation of around €1.5 million and handed a letter of freedom, allowing him to join Atletico Madrid for free.

And Barcelona could revert to a similar strategy with Romeu, although, unlike Lenglet, the veteran midfielder currently does not have any confirmed offers.

What next for Oriol Romeu? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

So far, Romeu has not spoken with either Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, or head coach Hansi Flick. He is awaiting news, as well as a possible meeting between Deco and his agent, Magic Diaz, to determine his future.

The 33-year-old is aware, however, that there is no space for him in Flick’s squad, with the midfield already well-covered by Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Marc Casado, Gavi, Marc Bernal, and even Eric Garcia, whom the German has used as a No. 6.

Romeu, who has previously played in the Premier League for Chelsea and Southampton, would prefer to remain in Spain. However, before considering any offers, he wants to understand Barcelona’s intentions.

It is expected that the situation will be resolved before the start of the pre-season next month. If not, Romeu could begin pre-season preparations under Flick on July 13 while awaiting an update on his future.