Barcelona ditch forgotten man with contract terminated to create more space on the wage bill & ease registration struggles

The Spanish champions confirmed in a statement that Romeu, who returned to the Blaugrana in 2023 after first emerging through their youth academy in 2010, has had his contract cancelled amid a report in Cope which claims that the club are trying to register Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin and Roony Bardghji in his place. Romeu made 39 appearances for Barcelona, including 29 in La Liga.

Barcelona also struggled to register summer signings Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia as they continue to battle La Liga's financial fair play regulations. The '1:1 rule' states that Spanish clubs can only spend as much as their income and accounts allow, with a limit calculated based on the club's expected income. Barcelona spent more on buying players and on wages than they made in revenue in the 2024-25 season which saw them win La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Despite their registration struggles, Barcelona have made a strong start to the 2025-26 season. Hansi Flick's men are unbeaten in their opening three league games, defeating both Mallorca and Levante and drawing with Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona play host to Valencia in their first home match of the new La Liga season on September 14. Flick's side will then get their Champions League campaign under way when they travel to Premier League side Newcastle United on September 18.