FC Barcelona still have to get a midfield pivot in this summer transfer window to replace Sergio Busquets. After having been linked with a number of different players for this role, the club seems to be now nearing the acquisition of 31-year-old former La Masia graduate and current Girona midfielder Oriol Romeu.
Negotiations for the purchase of Romeu have been going on for some days, and Mundo Deportivo reports that these negotiations have been accelerated since last Friday.
A conclusive agreement between the two clubs is imminent, while Barcelona already have an agreement in place with Romeu for a contract of two years with an option for an additional year.
Xavi wants the player to be available for the United States pre-season tour, and the club is also confident that they can conclude this operation before July 19th, when the tour starts.
Romeu’s club, Girona, had already realized that they could not keep the midfielder this summer and want to fast-track his sale because they need time to find his replacement.
One option that Girona is considering as his replacement is the Barcelona player Nico Gonzalez, whom they want to get on a loan. The fellow Catalonian side has requested Barcelona to make Nico a part of this entire operation. Additionally, Girona are also interested in Pablo Torre and talks are advancing between the two sides for a loan transfer.
If no player is made a part of his transfer, Romeu would cost the club around €5 million, which is significantly lower than his release clause of €8 million.
After the latest round of talks between the two clubs, both entities have decided that they should conclude this operation by the coming Monday at the latest. Meanwhile, the player is training under Michel at Girona, as he wants to show his commitment and professionalism till the last second he is associated with the other Catalan club.
