The future of Oriol Romeu is totally uncertain. FC Barcelona and the 33-year-old player agreed to terminate his contract (it ended in 2026), but the club omitted to give the official announcement of his departure. Finally, the summer transfer market closed on Tuesday, September 2 at midnight in the major European leagues, without the Ullecona native signing with another team.
Although he had good options to return to Girona, with a letter of freedom, there was no agreement for a third season with those from Montilivi. The Catalan team agreed to his return last summer on loan, but Romeu's performance was quite poor, mainly due to physical problems.
Oriol closed the 24/25 season with 1,805 minutes played in 31 matches, without offensive contributions. The terrible start to the season for Míchel's team (three defeats in a row in the League, being at the bottom of the table) probably conditioned a new return. Real Oviedo also sounded like a possible destination for the midfielder, without reaching an agreement.
Turkey, Arabia... The markets that are still open for Oriol Romeu
In that sense, although Oriol Romeu prioritized finding a team near home, once the transfer window in Spain closes, he will have to try his luck abroad again. The Catalan player has already played in England (Chelsea, Southampton) and Germany (Stuttgart) between 2011 and 2022, before his return to LaLiga with Girona.
The Barça youth player, if he wants to stay in Europe, could bet on Turkey as a new destination. The Ottoman league closes its market on September 12, that is, there is still a week left to finish the transfer window.
Other leagues, such as the Greek and Russian leagues, also extend their market until that date, while countries such as Belgium, Switzerland and the Czech Republic close their summer window on September 8. Three days before, Croatia, Ukraine and Austria do so, among other leagues of lower hierarchy.
For their part, the Arab and Qatari leagues, ideal destinations for veteran footballers looking for a 'golden retirement' with millionaire contracts, close their market on September 10 and 15, respectively.
Having a letter of freedom, Romeu could also try his luck in America in leagues such as the Mexican or Brazilian leagues, both with enough financial muscle to offer contracts on par with Europe. The midfielder will turn 34 on September 24 and, for now, does not seem to have retirement plans, but he must move quickly to find a team.
Oriol Romeu's departure from Barça, key to registering Gerard Martín
Although Barcelona has not yet issued the official announcement of the termination of Oriol Romeu's contract (signed, according to media such as 'SPORT' and 'Mundo Deportivo', on August 29), the truth is that his departure from the Barça team allowed the registration of Gerard Martín.
The defender missed the first two matchdays, against Mallorca and Levante, for being without a card on July 1. Gerard was registered in Barça Atlètic, but due to his age (23) he had to be part of the first team definitively.
Finally, Martín was registered on the same day 29 and played his first minutes on Sunday in Vallecas, against Rayo (1-1). In the case of Oriol, it is likely that Barcelona will issue the official part of his departure when the midfielder reaches an agreement with another team.
What will be the next destination of the Ulldecona native? In the 23/24 season, he added one assist in 37 matches (17 as a starter) with Barça. After the arrival of Hansi Flick to the Barça bench last summer, the midfielder returned on loan to Girona.