Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo are this afternoon reporting that Chelsea are close to finalising a deal for young midfielder Oriol Romeu.
The 19 year-old, who made his senior debut for the European champions late last season, is reported to be the subject of a €5m bid from The Blues.
Barcelona are believed to want a clause in the deal allowing them to re-sign the player in two seasons, but this is standard fare for the club and may not be acceptable to Chelsea.
Signed from Espanyol in 2004, Romeu is a defensive midfielder or centre back who has played over 50 times for Barcelona’s B team in the Spanish second and third tiers, and has represented Spain at Under-17, 19 and 20 levels. He is in their squad for this year’s Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
The reported interest comes off the back of news that Chelsea secured the signature of Cameroonian forward Gael Etock upon his departure from ‘La Masia’ earlier this month. The 19 year-old is believed to have signed a four-year deal and will head to Sporting Lisbon on loan, but that story is yet to be confirmed.