Valencia is close to finalizing a surprising signing: Oriol Romeu, with no place at Barcelona or Girona, will head to Mestalla. The veteran Catalan midfielder, who returned to Barça last summer, is leaving after a season to forget. Carlos Corberán has requested his signing and the club is already working on it.
Romeu hasn't convincedeither Xavi Hernández or now Hansi Flick; his signing was an emergency bet by the previous coaching staff. As the months have passed, it's become clear that he isn't part of the club's plans, and he hasn't found continuity at Girona either. Although he was loaned out to regain prominence, he hasn't managed to establish himself in Míchel's team.
The midfielder is more out than in at Barça; in fact, his name no longer appears among the club's future plans. Flick wants to build a young and energetic midfield, and in that scheme, Marc Casadó and especially Gavi are well ahead of the former Southampton player. Therefore, Romeu is forced to look for a way out.
Romeu is a key signing
Valencia appears as the main interested party; according to sources close to the club, Corberán sees Romeu as a key reinforcement to strengthen the core of the midfield. The Andalusian coach wants experience and tactical rigor. Romeu, despite his physical decline, is still a player capable of providing balance and leadership in the center of the field.
The signing is very advanced; Valencia expects Barça to accept a mutually agreed contract termination or a loan without a purchase option. Everything suggests that the Culers won't put up obstacles, since the main goal is to free up salary mass. There is an overpopulation of midfielders at the Catalan club and Romeu has no place.
Casadó or Gavi seek minutes
Meanwhile, the reaction inside Barça's locker room hasn't taken long; players like Casadó or Gavi have welcomed the decision with relief. For both, Romeu's departure represents an opportunity to get more minutes in the rotation. Especially Casadó, who has convinced Flick during the preseason and is set to be important in the new blaugrana era.
Romeu's departure also symbolizes the change in model; Barça is betting on a young, homegrown squad with projection. Romeu was a stopgap, and that's how it's been understood in the offices at Camp Nou. His arrival was seen as an emergency, his departure as a logical correction.
At Mestalla, however, they expect a more solid version; Romeu arrives eager to prove himself. Carlos Corberán believes he can still contribute a lot. The agreement is practically closed; only the official announcement is missing, but he's already expected in the capital of Turia to undergo a medical examination.