La Liga rivals will consider signing out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder on a free transfer only

It is almost certain that Oriol Romeu will leave FC Barcelona this summer, after falling down the club’s hierarchy.

The veteran Spaniard arrived at Barca last summer in a transfer worth around €3-4m from Catalan rivals Girona.

After a brilliant start to his second stint with the BlaugranaRomeu suffered a sharp drop in form and barely played in the second half of the season.

Given his situation and the club’s search for another defensive midfielder, the former Chelsea player’s departure is all but confirmed, with Girona keen to re-sign him.

Girona does not want to pay transfer fees

As previously reported, Girona would be open to re-signing Oriol Romeu from Barcelona this summer.

But, according to a report from Catalunya Radio, Michel’s side are not willing to pay a transfer fee for the midfielder and would only consider signing him if he was made available for free.

Barcelona and Girona are expected to be involved in talks over several players in the coming days.

THE Blaugrana are keen to re-sign young striker Pau Victor while Girona are looking to bring back Romeu and Eric Garcia.

Although Girona’s interest in Romeu seems concrete, the idea is that they will not pay any fee for his signing.

Instead, the Catalan club will only consider signing him if Barcelona gives him a release letter and lets him leave for free, something the Catalan club cannot do. Blaugrana might not be willing to do so.

Regardless, Barca are expected to delay Romeu’s departure until the end of the transfer window following an injury crisis in midfield.