Barcelona Eye Squad Overhaul as Romeu Faces Exit Under Flick’s New Era
At Barcelona, resolving internal issues before the new season isn’t currently a top priority. Instead, the club’s leadership is focused on reshaping the squad under new head coach Hansi Flick. Tension is mounting at Camp Nou, with reports suggesting that significant behind-the-scenes decisions are being made regarding the futures of several senior players.
While the club remains open to signing new talent if the right opportunity presents itself, their immediate priority has become trimming the wage bill and offloading players who are no longer in their plans.
One such player is Oriol Romeu. The experienced midfielder has failed to convince Flick since returning to Barcelona, and sources indicate that the German coach has excluded him from his tactical plans. Flick has reportedly urged the club to finalize Romeu’s future before the preseason tour in Asia begins.
The decision appears to be set in stone, especially given Flick’s clear stance on loan returnees—players like Clément Lenglet and Álex Valle, who have already secured moves to Atlético Madrid and Como, respectively, won’t be reintegrated into the squad.
Although Romeu has been placed on the transfer list, no formal offers have been made for him, despite a modest price tag of under €3 million. With time running short, club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are now seriously considering releasing Romeu on a free transfer.
This would allow Romeu to join another club without a transfer fee, on the condition that he forfeits the remainder of his salary, which is set to run through 2026. Such a move would end his second stint at Barcelona quietly, while underscoring Flick’s determination to refresh the team.
Barcelona’s midfield is evolving, with younger talent poised to take over. Flick sees no tactical need to retain Romeu, especially with players like Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casadó, and Marc Bernal ready to step up in the defensive midfield role. Romeu’s underwhelming performances since his transfer from Girona have only further reinforced the coaching staff’s decision to move on.
