Hansi Flick has started making important decisions at Barcelona. The German coach wants to reduce the squad and reorganize its midfield. He has already identified a footballer who isn't part of his plans for next season. This is a player who barely had any prominence last season and who will now become a free agent.
The Barça coach has been clear with the sporting management: in order to bring in new reinforcements, they first need to make room. One of the first moves will be the definitive departure of a midfielder who returned to the club a year ago but didn't meet expectations. After an inconsistent season and an unremarkable loan, a decision has already been made about his future.
The decision hasn't been difficult; Flick wants a more dynamic midfield, with greater pace and better ability to link up. That's why this footballer is out of the plans. The club has opted for young names, like Fermín, Gavi, or Pedri, and with the continuity of players like De Jong, Christensen, and Olmo, there's no room for everyone.
Romeu leaves
The player who will leave Barcelona is Oriol Romeu. The midfielder from Ulldecona hasn't convinced either Xavi Hernández or the new coaching staff. His loan to Girona also didn't help reverse the situation; the sporting management has already informed him that he won't continue.
Romeu arrived two summers ago from Girona as an emergency solution for the pivot position; with Busquets gone, the club needed a defensive profile. But his performance declined, he lost his place in the starting eleven, and ended up being loaned out in the winter transfer window. Although he returned to Montilivi hoping to regain his level, he couldn't stand out as he did in the previous campaign.
One less squad member
Now, Barcelona has decided to release him; they won't seek a sale or renew his contract, Romeu will leave as a free agent. Several teams are already interested in signing him at no cost, especially in LaLiga, where he still has a good reputation as a midfielder with experience and tactical commitment.
His departure is a relief for the wage bill of the blaugrana club. In addition, it frees up a spot in an area of the field that will have many options this season. Flick wants to bring in a more competitive midfielder, possibly a foreigner, who fits better into his system.
Oriol Romeu's departure will be one of the first operations of the new Barça, a quiet but necessary move that marks the beginning of a squad overhaul. Flick doesn't want to repeat past mistakes; he prefers to work with a small squad but with well-defined profiles. With Oriol Romeu gone, the club will be able to focus on closing new signings; the goal now is to sign a reliable pivot.