Barcelona eye ex-Chelsea midfielder as SHOCK Busquets replacement

Suraj Radia

• 28 Jun 2023 17:36 BST
• 2 min read

Barcelona have finally identified their replacement for Sergio Busquets with one of their former academy graduates after seeing their first choice option turn them down.

Club captain Busquets will join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami this summer upon the expiry of his contract at Barca after more than 15 years with the club, leaving a huge void for manager Xavi to fill.

Barca had attempted to sign former Real Madrid midfielder Dani Parejo, who had a clause allowing him to leave his current club Villarreal for free by the end of this month, however the 34-year-old rejected the opportunity.

OPTIONS: Barca battle Milan for €30m midfielder

According to Spanish outlet AS, Parejo was unconvinced by both the economic proposal and the sporting project, with the player feeling ‘very loved’ at Villarreal.

As a result, Barca have turned to the Plan B in Oriol Romeu, the Girona midfielder who came through the La Masia academy before leaving for Chelsea in 2011.

Romeu still has two years remaining on his contract at Girona and there is no indication as to how much a deal would cost but there is a belief that the good relationship between the clubs would help facilitate a homecoming for the 31-year-old.

Barca struggling to secure targets

Barcelona’s pivot to the likes of Parejo and Romeu perhaps exemplifies the financial strain still on the club, having previously spoken of signing the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Bernardo Silva this summer.

The La Liga champions are still required to get La Liga approval on any new signings, something which hindered them from bringing back Messi and caused a delay in announcing the arrival of Ilkay Gundogan, who joined on a two-year deal from Manchester City last week.

Barca are still hoping to sign many players including Vitor Roque, the 18-year-old with whom the club have agreed a €40 million transfer for, however there has been no breakthrough in their ability to register the player, thus preventing the deal from being completed.

CUTS: Barca set to chop forward to bring in Vitor Roque

However, some tension could be eased with the sale of Franck Kessie, who is wanted by Saudi Arabian sides in a €20m move, although a deal has yet to be struck for the Ivorian.CUTS: Barca set to chop forward to bring in Vitor Roque