News today that three Premier League clubs have been contacted by Spanish club Barcelona, to see if they are interested in taking Barcelona’s 19 year old defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu on loan.
Oriol Romeu – up and coming Barcelona defensive midfielder
The clubs contacted are said to be Newcastle United (of course), Everton and Blackburn Rovers, and the news is being broadcast by Spanish station Com Radio.
The 19-year-old – who is called by one name – either Oriol or Romeu – is currently playing regularly for the Barcelona B team, and has represented Spain at a number of youth levels, including the U-20 side with 3 appearances.
It’s hardly surprising the lad will not get a look-in in the Barcelona midfield, which is packed with world-class Spanish players.
Romeu can also play in central defense, but it’s a good question if he could get many games at Newcastle, through the end of the season.
But if this lad is good, a season-long loan deal next season, may possibly be on the cards at Newcastle.
The Ulldecona-born player turned 19 only last September, and stands just under 6′ tall.
And reports last summer suggested that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was interested in the player.
He has 45 appearances for Barcelona B and one appearance for the Barcelona first team – so far in his career.
But it’s hard to judge the player, since we’ve never seen him play.
Comments welcome.
28 comments so far
Asilaytoon
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Comment #1He is a star in making…will be a gud signing..but i dont understand why we dont give our youngsters any chance..like Shane Ferguson who is also 19.and have show that he can cut it at a top level..i think he would be a gud winger than a left back with his pace and crossing ability.
lewman
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Comment #2i bet he is a great passer of the ball, i dont have a clue though as i have only heard his name the other day and definatly havent seen him play.
supervil
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Comment #3Reet, straw that broke the camels back. Done me head in for yonks this…
All this talk about our youngsters on the comments of this blog annoys the p!ss out of me. The coaches watch them day in day out, on the training ground. Holy Hughton never played them in the League, just like Pardew won’t…. reason being?
THEY’RE NOT READY YET!
Christ almighty… stop pretending you’s know that Shane Ferguson can cut it in the Premier League cos he had one good game against Accrington Stanley. When else have you seen him play? And be honest…
He’ll be played when he’s good and ready. Simple as that. If we played him too early and he got absolutely massacred, he’d be ruined. You’s lot DON’T know more than management, reet?
BigWooo
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:40 PM
Comment #4This kid looks like a real prospect, iv seen him play for spains u20s looks like hes in the build of xabi alonso, never seems to give the ball away. Can’t see the point of a loan though as he won’t get enough games to make it worth while but a permnanent de would be class
Stuart
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:42 PM
Comment #5I agree with Supervil to an extent.
But I’ve also saw Shane Ferguson play against Chelsea in the league cup this year aswell so that would make it two good games. Also banged in a beautiful cross to assist a goal if I remember correctly aswell.
Wouldn’t play him as LB as he is very lightweight, but may be worth a shot at LW, even breaking the news to Jonas that hes missing a game might be enough to give him a kick up the arse at least.
Asilaytoon
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:42 PM
Comment #6hey clam down ok…no need to talk like that i was just saying my opinion…i didnt say he shld be played next match against wigan,,no need to get pissed off,,,and i didnt nt say i am a manager or anything like that..
Rotonda heights
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:43 PM
Comment #7Suppervil
You know these kids if they were getting real good coaching would make it, ie like the Arsenal set up.
We desperately need better technical coaches who can get them passing and moving, not long ball FA clones.
AussieToon
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:43 PM
Comment #8To be fair mate, Ferguson was brilliant against Chelsea a few weeks ago. Maybe not their strongest team, but a team that would be classed as top Premiership quality none the less.
I think he has shown enough to suggest he deserves a chance. I personally think it’s a fear factor about playing the kids due to our position on the league table.
I certainly don’t want him to start, just like I don’t want Ranger to start, but I have seen enough from them, as well as Vuckic, Kadar and Inman to think they deserve more of a go. I was really hoping Ferguson was given the chance against Spurs. We all know Perch is not good enough, we need to give a young bloke a chance. Man United, Arsenal, they all do it!
toon95
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Comment #9this kid could be great cover for tiote but he’d have to be signed permanently cos barca wouldn’t let him come to be a bench warmer
balubas1
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Comment #10Supervil:
Ive only seen Ferguson against Chelsea… but he would be better than Perch on the left back.
I wouldnt swap him for Jonas on the wing though like some are saying..
warwick
Dec 30, 2010 at 1:59 PM
Comment #11I think both points of view have merit but side with the earlier comment. I remeber when a lot of fans were saying bring in ranger and it was too early imo…6 months on and he started getting his time.
These youngsters have to do it regularly in training and the time they get they have to take to break in to the senior squad. Shane will be playing next season or maybe earlier I reckon but that will be the right time.
Brutooon
Dec 30, 2010 at 2:04 PM
Comment #12Barcelona youngsters are the best in the world
i would say YES!!!
Toon1978
Dec 30, 2010 at 2:10 PM
Comment #13Toon95
That is why i think this story is a no go. Why the hell would we replace Tiote to benefit Barcelona. Don’t think so.
Newcastle Rock
Dec 30, 2010 at 2:11 PM
Comment #14http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wtGRSWEO7M
Newcastle Rock
Dec 30, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Comment #15THE ONLY STRIKER WE NEED IS
Jesé Rodríguez FROM Real Madrid
PLS LOOK ED AND OTHERS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S5M87cDVVo&feature=related
JP...from The Rock
Dec 30, 2010 at 2:43 PM
Comment #16This guy is really good. Also as someone mentioned earlier every youngster in Barcelona is really good. This guy is very talented and miles better than Smith. If we could get this guy on loan with option to buy it will be fantastic. Knowing the limited chances to break into Barca’s midfield I think he would welcome the permanent switch to the North East.
sweendog
Dec 30, 2010 at 3:20 PM
Comment #17hope so .. can’t see it, but excellent back up to Tiote.. with the FA Cup coming up he’ll get a run out ..
Still we need a new winger as well as Aanholt as LB cover ..
JP...from The Rock
Dec 30, 2010 at 3:26 PM
Comment #18Sweendog – Yup Aanholt would be a great coup as he really impressed me while he was here. He also likes to get forward and is really effective when he does.
atom
Dec 30, 2010 at 3:29 PM
Comment #19My only question would be how does this guy compare to Leroy Fer, who we were linked with over the Summer and looked a good prospect as well?
Rotonda heights
Dec 30, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Comment #20toon 78
are you saying dont sign anyone good because tiote will play absolutely every match and never get suspended, injured or lose form !!
Also what do we have to lose ? We knew playing Perch and Smith was going to lose us the game so what had we got to lose by trying something different with kadar and Ferguson coming in.
Thump
Dec 30, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Comment #21Rodriguez is an amazing talent, but we have no chance of getting him I’m afraid. Real won’t let him go.
craignufc
Dec 30, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Comment #22may as well get him signed on loan, the way tiote plays is every 5 games 5 yellow cards. Need some one half decent to cover him for his bans and injuries maybe
gorskino10
Dec 30, 2010 at 8:27 PM
Comment #23No point on loan. if was he near his end of contract and we could get him on a free they yeah but for a loan its rather pointless.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Dec 30, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Comment #24Believe a loan signing from Barca when i see it.
Would surprise the hell out of me!
Reports in the Dutch press yesterday suggest FC Koln want van Aanholt on loan in Jan. This, if it happens will really piss me off!
We should be trying to get van Aanholt back with us on loan, he played really well for the short time he was with us.
As for the youth squad, there are one or two who are ready, and if they were on the books with other clubs, would of had their debuts by now! But heh, thats Pardews and a coaches decision to make.
Don,t believe everything you read in the gutter press in the next few days.
Thump
Dec 30, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Comment #25I actually second FC. Koln and while it’d be a miss for the Toon, I’d get the best of both worlds.
😀
stevothegeordie
Dec 30, 2010 at 9:34 PM
Comment #26no thanks, use the money spent for his wage and loan fee on a permanant signing, rodwell from everton could be great cover for tiote and fits into our youth model.
Brutooon
Dec 30, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Comment #27Gosling can do a defensive midfield job once he is back
We need to replace the so called “backup” Alan Smith. This guy is younger and definitely better than Alan Smith.
Thump
Dec 31, 2010 at 3:11 AM
Comment #28Would love to see Rodwell sign for us, admittedly.