Barcelona discussed the idea of signing former midfielder to replace Busquets last year

Oriol Romeu was one of the top performers for Girona as they held Barcelona to a goalless draw last night. His performance attracted praise from Girona head coach Michel, who even compared his efforts to Sergio Busquets.

Bizarrely, Barcelona had targeted Romeu as a potential replacement for Busquets not more than five to six months ago. This has been reported by Mundo Deportivo who claim that the name of the Girona midfielder had come up in one of Barça’s technical staff meetings last year.

Romeu, who stems from the famed La Masia academy, had spent around seven years in the Barça’s youth system before leaving for Chelsea in 2011. He had an excellent spell at Southampton before eventually joining Girona in 2021.

Due to his technical ability, coupled with experience at the highest level of football, Romeu was targeted as a Busquets’ replacement by Barcelona’s technical staff.

But the suggestion never quite materialise as Barça’s main priority was to sign a younger, more expensive player who is preferred by coach Xavi Hernandez.

Romeu, who will turn 32 by the start of next season, did not have much clout as Barcelona continued to follow the likes of Ruben Neves and Martin Zubimendi among others.

Barcelona may still have to keep one eye on the market as Busquets carefully makes a decision on his future.

The veteran has a contract offer on the table, with the renewal proposal reportedly including a massive salary cut, while the player is also mulling over a possible move to Major League Soccer.

Multiple reports claim a definitive decision on Busquets’ future could come before the end of the week, so these are certainly tense times at Barcelona.