After the departure of Sergio Busquets, reinforcing the team with a defensive pivot was Xavi Hernández’s number one priority in this summer market. Given the economic impossibility of being able to sign midfielders with high exit clauses or impossible to negotiate such as Zubimendi, Kimmich or Brozovic, the consensus solution to try to find a replacement for Busquets is Oriol Romeu.
The 31-year-old midfielder, trained in the club’s youth ranks and who now plays for Girona, has a clause of 4 million euros and is convincing in both the sports and presidential areas. Barça hopes to be able to reach an agreement this week with the Montilivi club, which has also shown interest in signing another midfielder. The chosen one is Pablo Torre, who would end up in Girona on loan. However, the entry of the young half Cantabrian in the operation will not be enough. “Xavi understands the financial situation of the club. He knows that some options are unfeasible. If there are departures we will be able to register some more ”, said the president Joan Laporta in the interview that he gave to this newspaper.
As La Vanguardia has learned, the formula that the offices of the sports city are considering to be able to sign and register Oriol Romeu involves closing the transfers of Clément Lenglet and Franck Kessié. In addition, the sports area also has to finish negotiating a new salary adjustment for Ter Stegen’s contract, deferring part of his payroll. From the offices they assure that the German’s predisposition is good because he feels valued and important. Ter Stegen has not only gained more confidence on a sporting level after a great season in which he has won his first Zamora award. The departure of Busquets has also led him to climb a step to become the second captain of the team and gain more responsibility. Also off the field. Ter Stegen’s current contract with Barcelona ends in June 2025.
For their part, Clément Lenglet and Franck Kessié have already spoken with Xavi. The technician has informed them that he does not have both. The situation is not new for Lenglet. With a salary of 16 million euros for the next course and a contract that binds him to Barça until 2026, the Frenchman already played last season on loan at Tottenham, a team that wanted to sign him. Although from the club they perceived that his departure could be the first to be closed, the negotiations with the London club cooled down. Lenglet’s agents are now looking for new alternatives in the Premier League.
For her part, Kessié knows from the coach that with the hiring of Gündogan, in addition to the presence in the squad of Pedri, Gavi, Sergi Roberto and Frenkie de Jong, she has no space. He has an offer from Saudi Arabia with a net salary of 14 million euros while Barça would earn around 20 million with his departure. However, at 26 years old, Kessié would like to continue playing in the elite of European football, with the Premier League being the league that best suits him. Clubs like Chelsea have been interested in him.
Neither Lenglet nor Kessié will travel to the United States tour. Yes Sergiño Dest will. Faced with the impossibility of being able to sign a right-back, Xavi welcomes this alternative.
