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Barcelona have reportedly identified Girona midfielder Auriol Romeo as an option to strengthen their midfield should they fail to sign Marcelo Brozovic.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Croatian star is set to leave Inter Milan this summer, with both Al-Nassr and Barcelona interested. Inter have reportedly agreed to pay €23m, which the Blaugrana find difficult to meet.
On top of that, Brozović will earn a good salary, given his prestige at the club and at the international level. The 30-year-old UEFA Champions League runner-up has an annual net salary of €6m at Giuseppe Meazza.
Xavi Hernandez reportedly likes Brozovic’s profile and wants him in midfield after Sergio Busquets left and Joshua Kimmich and Martin Zubemendi failed to sign. However, he will have to work with limited funds, given Barcelona’s well-documented financial issues.
Hence, Romeo has emerged as a cheaper alternative. The 31-year-old came from Barcelona’s academy and left after seven years to join Chelsea in 2011 for €5m.
Romeo spent four years writing the blues books, appearing in just 33 senior matches across the competitions. He joined the Saints in 2015, spending seven years with them and making 256 appearances.
Romeo is said to have €10 million in his contract. His deal with Girona expires in the summer of 2026, but they will be powerless if the suitor fulfills the Spaniard’s buyout clause.
Ilkay Gundogan could leave Barcelona before the summer deadline
Ilkay Gundogan will join Barcelona from Manchester City on a free transfer next month.
The 32-year-old German star has agreed to leave City after seven years of silverware as he seeks a new challenge in La Liga. However, there is a possibility that he could join another team before the deadline ends this summer.
According to Athletic, his contract entails a clause whereby he can leave for free if he is not on Barcelona’s books by the time the transfer window closes. Barcelona could fail to score new signings if they don’t make enough room in their paybooks.
Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are some of the players who have been directly or indirectly sacked from the squad to free up the wage bill. Gundogan will reportedly receive his full salary in the first year (€9m after tax). when signing.
Barcelona had problems with La Liga when it came to signing Jaffe’s new contract, but they found a way to ensure he would be their player for at least three more years and wear the number 6 shirt.
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