FC Barcelona is reportedly planning to terminate the contract of a veteran midfielder to ease financial pressures.
FC Barcelona’s attempts to combat their financial struggles may lead to a second contract termination, following the same model that Clément Lenglet recently departed from.
They are said to be discussing a mutual termination with a “veteran” midfielder who doesn’t fit their squad under Hansi Flick due to the amount of money he is on and his lack of role, as per Diario Sport.
Time is running out for La Liga to meet its Financial Fair Play requirements before the January transfer window, which would allow them to free up salary cap space for new signings and contract renewals for the future.
The player in question is Oriol Romeu, a defensive midfielder who returned to Barcelona from Girona on a rumored transfer fee of €5 million in 2023.
Romeu has not played much this season, and younger options are available – Marc Casadó and Frenkie de Jong have taken the pivot role.
Romeu is tied to a contract that runs through 2026 with a gross annual salary in the region of €7 million a year.
There have been claims that there is a termination of a contract (one that would be similar to Lenglet) that would allow Romeu to join another team as a free agent.
Barcelona values Romeu’s professionalism, but given his situation, there are practical reasons for mutual termination.
Cancelling Romeu’s contract could save Barcelona four million euros a season, helping the club’s flexibility in registering players or extending contracts for youngsters like Lamine Yamal.
Romeu has played over 50 matches for Barça across two spells as a La Masia graduate, but he has been dwarfed by up-and-coming talent.
It would represent a loss of transfer fee to the club.
Still, the trade-off is worth saving money as the club’s economy is aimed at achieving the narrowest possible squad.
There is no concrete decision made officially, and this possible departure is part of the club’s push for economic viability and prioritizing a young squad.
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