Southampton: Saints rightly keeping hold of Oriol Romeu for now

Despite Oriol Romeu being heavily linked with a move to La Liga side Celta Vigo this January, it appears that Southampton will be keeping hold of the midfielder for this season.

According to the Daily Echo, the club aren’t interested in selling the Spaniard midway through the season with other options in his position so limited.

Spanish media outlet AS had reported that a deal was all but agreed for Romeu to return to his homeland, but sources close to Saints appear to be saying that isn’t the case.

Given that Romeu is out of favour and still capable of being a regular starter somewhere else, it is perhaps understandable if he wanted the move.

Celta may have to wait until the summer to get the deal done though with Saints having little time to line up a replacement with similar traits to the 28-year-old.

Overall, Romeu has had a mixed time at St Mary’s since joining Saints from Chelsea for around £6m back in 2015.

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He has made 176 appearances for the club to date and made a good impact on the team when coming in as a replacement for the departing Victor Wanyama.

Saints have been linked to other midfielders this month, with the likes of QPR’s Eberechi Eze, Rangers’ Glen Kamara and Nice man Adrien Tameze.

Romeu’s style has been clear from the day he first stepped onto the field for Saints and he has been an important player until recently.

Consistent football came for him under Ronald Koeman, Claude Puel, Mauricio Pellegrino and the Mark Hughes because they all played in a way that required a defensively-minded midfielder.

However, now that Saints play in a fast style under Ralph Hasenhuttl with two energetic players centrally, he has slipped behind James Ward-Prowse and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the pecking order.

Romeu has still been thrown on in games when Saints need solidity to hold onto a win though, and his qualities will still be needed until the end of the season in May.