Girona want Barcelona star, but only on a free transfer

The powers that be at Girona remain keen on bringing Oriol Romeu back to the club from Barcelona this summer.

There is, however, a catch…

Spaniard Romeu is of course fresh off something of an underwhelming first season back in the colours of Barcelona.

Brought in as a cut-price replacement for the departing Sergio Busquets, the 32-year-old enjoyed a productive start to life in Xavi’s squad.

However, as the months passed, Romeu fell heavily out of favour, to the point that defender Andreas Christensen was pushed into a role in the middle of the park in his place.

The widespread assumption, in turn, has long been that Romeu is set to be moved on this summer.

And one club who would be keen to take the former Southampton man off the hands of Barcelona come in the form of Catalan neighbours Girona.

As per a report from Catalunya Ràdio, the Blanquivermells would love to have Romeu back at their disposal ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.

However, as much would only be viable in the case of Barca making Romeu available for a free transfer:

“If Oriol Romeu is free, Girona wants to get him back. If the midfielder doesn’t have the freedom letter, Girona is not interested in paying for the transfer,” journalist Xavi Campos concludes.

Conor Laird | GSFN