The 2022/23 season will go down as one of the most happening ones for Barcelona in a very long time. While the club is almost too used to drama, this season, in particular, has been highly topsy-turvy all things considered.
While the Catalans have managed to win La Liga and Spanish Super Cup under Xavi’s first full season as manager, they also dropped out of the UEFA Champions League group stages and then lost to Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League.
Apart from stuff on the pitch, Barcelona also bid goodbye to club legend Gerard Pique midway through the season. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have joined the queue as well and are set to leave the club at the end of the season.
In an attempt to replace Busi, Barcelona have come up with six-name shortlist, according to Gerard Romero. The reliable journalist claims that one of the names on this list is former La Masia midfielder Oriol Romeu.
The Spaniard put in shifts with Barcelona Atletic for three years before moving to Chelsea in 2011. He did not find continuity until he joined Southampton in 2015, though, where he made more than 200 appearances before eventually moving back to Catalunya, to join Girona.
Romeu has been impressive this season for Girona, playing 31 games and scoring two goals. He has been a key cog for the Catalan outfit in their attempt to fight with Athletic Club for a place in the UEFA Conference League next season.
Now 31, Romeu should not cost an awful lot, and would still serve as a rather quality short-term replacement for Busquets.
Barcelona also have the likes of Ruben Neves, Martin Zubimendi, N’Golo Kante, Guido Rodriguez, and Sofyan Amrabat on their radar. 18-year-old Belgian starlet, Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp, is also being considered.
They have, however, forgotten about signing Joshua Kimmich, who had reportedly offered his services to Barcelona.