Barcelona Transfer News: Catalans Should Buy Back Oriol Romeu from Chelsea

If Barcelona is concerned with adding depth in the midfield after the departure of veteran mainstay Seydou Keita to China this summer, they should look no further than the man they sent to Chelsea last year, Oriol Romeu.

And Romeu has said he would return if given playing time. From ESPN:

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"If [Barcelona coach] Tito Vilanova wants me there, I would talk to him and discuss it with him. If they want me to enjoy my football and show some confidence in me, then onwards and upwards," he told Sport.

"Returning to Barcelona is an option but it depends on many things, because I want to play.

"I've always felt like a big Barcelona supporter, I am very grateful to FC Barcelona and it's thanks to them that I am where I am. I wanted to play more and Chelsea showed confidence in me, but if FC Barcelona want you to play, well..."

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As the ESPN report noted, Barca has a disputed buy-back clause of for £9.5 million this summer or £13 million the following year, though Chelsea has argued the clause only applies if they choose to sell, thereby giving Barca first dibs to bring Romeu back.

Nonetheless, Barca should do their due diligence. While the loss of Keita wasn't devastating, it will certainly be felt. And the 20-year-old Romeu remains a bright, young talent, one that could play a major part of Barcelona's success moving forward.

Plus, in his comments he said he would be willing to play center-back if called upon to do so, essentially giving the team added depth in both the midfield and on the back line.

And let's be honest—his heart is in Barcelona. While he might have to sacrifice some playing time with the Catalans, I believe he would be willing to do so if he would only have a limited role with Chelsea in the first place.

And with Chelsea's spotty history of developing young talent, perhaps they would be best served taking the fee back from Barcelona.

It seems like a logical move for both Romeu and Barcelona, and one Chelsea may see the logic in begrudgingly allowing. The Catalans should certainly push for his return.

Stay tuned.

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