Southampton are currently managerless after announcing the exit of Will Still on Sunday. They are on the hunt for a new boss to try and breathe life back into their season.
A dreadful 2024/25 campaign and a poor start to the Championship return has seen huge pressure pile on Sport Republic. Fans are demanding change, starting with the appointment of a new boss.
Image courtesy of: JOHN SIBLEY/REUTERS.
Now though, it has been claimed the Saints are set to make an intriguing out-of-window signing.
Writing on X, Spanish reporter Gerard Romero has claimed that Spanish defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu is set to re-join Southampton on a free transfer after his exit from Barcelona at the end of last season. These reports have since been reinforced by several other outlets, including the Daily Echo’s Alfie House and Alex Crook of talkSPORT.
Further details of Oriol Romeu’s Southampton return
In the wake of this news, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided more details.
He states that Romeu will undergo his medical ahead of a Southampton return either today (Monday) or tomorrow. Then, he will pen an initial contract until the end of the season, importantly including an option to extend until the summer of 2027 if they wish.
Image courtesy of: IAN WALTON/REUTERS.
Romeu left St. Mary’s in the summer of 2022 to return to Spain with Girona, making an eye-catching move to Barcelona the following summer. They would loan him back to Girona a year later, with the midfielder staying at a high level despite now being 34.
It will be hoped that he has maintained a solid level of fitness while without a club. That way, he can quickly come to the fore with the Saints and push for a place in the midfield.
Oriol Romeu’s career appearances by club
ClubAppearancesSouthampton256Girona65Barcelona39Chelsea33Stuttgart28Valencia18
An important signing for Southampton?
You will be hard pressed to find a Southampton fan disapproving of the move to sign Romeu. Some may view it as a straightforward way for Sport Republic to allay fan anger, but it comes as a smart addition for more reasons than that.
Shea Charles is facing an extended spell on the sidelines, leaving a gap in midfield. There has been a void in terms of leadership too, and the vastly experienced midfield enforcer Romeu will certainly change that.
He will serve as a strong and determined presence in the middle of the park boasting the necessary in-possession skills that saw him return to Barcelona after breaking through their academy.
Romeu can come in and serve as a standard-setter in a Saints group that has fallen way below par so far this season.
