Friday, 22nd July, 2011
Chelsea appear to have a deal in place for Barcelona’s promising young defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu.
The 19-year-old has clocked up 49 appearances for Barcelona’s B team and made one bow for Barcelona’s senior team in La Liga during his short career so far.
And Chelsea have seen enough to be convinced that Romeu is a hot prospect for the future, with the Blues moving to tempt the European Champions into cashing in on the Spaniard.
According to Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have accepted a bid of just €5M from Chelsea for Romeu and now the London club will speak to the player about a switch.
Barcelona however, wary of Romeu’s potential, are said to have requested a buy-back clause be inserted into the youngster’s contract. Under the terms of this agreement, the Camp Nou giants will be able to bring Romeu back to Catalunya for a set price at any point during the next two years.
Chelsea will be delighted to snare Romeu, with the midfielder having been watched closely by the club’s London rivals Arsenal in recent seasons.
Indeed, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has long identified the young midfielder as a potential star of the future, but the 19-year-old had stayed true to Barcelona.
Romeu, who can also operate in central defence, will be looking to make his mark at Stamford Bridge should the deal go through.
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