Hansi Flick Begins Barcelona Overhaul: Oriol Romeu Set to Depart
Big changes are on the horizon at FC Barcelona as newly appointed head coach Hansi Flick begins implementing a sweeping restructuring of the squad ahead of the new season. According to sources close to the club’s technical staff, the coming days could bring decisive moves that reshape the dressing room, both tactically and financially.
Central to Flick’s vision is the development of a more dynamic and competitive group capable of reclaiming both domestic dominance and European relevance. As part of this project, early signs indicate that midfielder Oriol Romeu is on the verge of leaving the club.
Spanish journalist Lobo Carrasco reports that Flick is planning a one-on-one meeting with Romeu in the coming days to formally inform him that he is not in the coach’s long-term plans. The German tactician has asked the 32-year-old midfielder to begin searching for a new club during the current summer transfer window.
Romeu’s exit would come just a year after rejoining Barcelona from Girona in a deal worth €5 million—a transfer that was already viewed skeptically by many at the time. Despite his experience, Romeu struggled to make an impact last season and failed to convince either fans or the coaching staff of his value to the team.
Reports suggest that Flick was puzzled by the previous management’s insistence—notably Joan Laporta and Deco—on securing Romeu’s services, reportedly calling the move “incomprehensible.” Flick is said to have remarked, “I see no technical or financial reasoning for signing a player of this profile at this stage of his career.”
The coach has made it clear that Barcelona must avoid investing in players who don’t meet the demands of modern football, which emphasize quality, athleticism, and mental sharpness. Supporting such signings, he believes, would only obstruct the club’s rebuilding efforts.
Romeu’s anticipated departure could mark the beginning of a broader midfield reshuffle, as Flick looks to mold a squad aligned with his philosophy. The German’s early assertiveness is a clear signal that change is underway at Camp Nou—and no position is guaranteed.
