Barcelona's latest signing could see Champions League winner exit

James Shearman

• Updated: 9 May 2024 22:10 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona's signing of Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez could see the end of Oriol Romeu's time at Camp Nou.

Rodriguez's Betis contract expires in the summer and transfers expert Fabrizio Romano is reporting that he has signed a two-year deal with Barca.

The 30-year-old holding midfielder will probably replace Romeu in Xavi's squad.

READ MORE: Latest Barcelona transfer rumours

Romeu, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, has often found himself on the sidelines in recent weeks.

Indeed, central defender Andreas Christensen has sometimes been preferred in the defensive midfield position.

Despite being under contract until 2026, it would not come as a surprise to see Barca part ways with Romeu this summer.

How good is Guido Rodriguez?

Rodriguez may be viewed as somewhat of a late bloomer, given he only made the move from South America to Europe aged 26.

However, he did not require an adaption period, making an immediate impact at Betis when he joined in January 2020.

The Argentine played a key role in their survival that season and has gone from strength to strength since then.

In 2021, Seville-based journalist Javier Macias spoke about Rodriguez and said: "The central element of this Betis team is Rodríguez.

“A pivot that’s closer to a broom than a footballer, he sweeps up everything and ensures that nothing happens in the space behind him. He’s the garbage truck that cleans the field and leaves the bins full.

“His physicality enables him to cover both sides of the pitch, stealing the ball all over, and with each performance, his distribution is becoming better and more effective.”

Indeed, he has been one of La Liga's best defensive midfielders for several years, yet he snuck under the radar until Barcelona's recent pursuit.