Spanish Midfielder Romeu Returns to Barcelona on Three-Year Deal 

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu attends a training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on July 19, 2023. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu attends a training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on July 19, 2023. (AFP)
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Spanish Midfielder Romeu Returns to Barcelona on Three-Year Deal 

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu attends a training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on July 19, 2023. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu attends a training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on July 19, 2023. (AFP)

Barcelona has re-signed former academy player Oriol Romeu from Girona with the midfielder signing a three-year deal, the LaLiga champions said on Wednesday.

Romeu came through Barca's youth academy and made his senior team debut in 2010 before moving to Chelsea a year later. The 31-year-old also had loan spells at Valencia and Stuttgart before spending seven years at Southampton.

He spent a year at Girona where he was a crucial figure clocking up more than 3,000 minutes to guide them to 10th before making his return to Barca, with 20-year-old midfielder Pablo Torre moving the other way on loan.

"Romeu has great experience and knows the club from his previous spell as a blaugrana and the style of play Xavi Hernandez wants to impress on his team," Barca said in a statement.

"The midfielder has shown what he can do in LaLiga and will look to perform right from the off."

The club have inserted a buyout clause of 400 million euros ($449.12 million) in his contract.

Romeu is Barca's fourth signing in the close season after Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez while Vitor Roque will join the club next year.



Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
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Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)

Kylian Mbappe trained on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona, with Aurelien Tchouameni also involved following his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.

Top goalscorer Mbappe had been sidelined for two weeks but Real said the French striker completed part of the group session two days before their trip to Barcelona, AFP reported.

Tchouameni also took part in the training the day after his altercation with Valverde resulted in the latter reportedly needing stitches.

The team confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players after the training ground clash, one of a spate of such incidents.

Tensions are high at Real with the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Leading by 11 points, Barcelona only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned Spanish champions again.

 

 

 

 


Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must re-focus for Sunday's "huge" Premier League clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years if they can win their final three league games.

A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham appears to be their toughest task remaining, AFP reported.

Arteta's men then host relegated Burnley before facing Crystal Palace just days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history with victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but Arteta stressed there was little time to look ahead to facing Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

"Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more," said the Arsenal boss, referring to his message to his players.

"We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter."

The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but have played one game more than Pep Guardiola's men.

The result at the London Stadium could also have huge ramifications for Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs are just one point above 18-place West Ham in the battle to avoid the drop.

"Understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it's huge, obviously," said Arteta. "We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game."

The Spaniard said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain out and are facing a race against time to feature in the Champions League final on May 30.

"There's a fair bit to do," he said. "Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want the chance to play any minutes."


Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Netherlands forward Justin Kluivert's return for Bournemouth after a four-month absence from knee surgery could boost his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

The 27-year-old Kluivert, who hasn't played since early January, is expected to be in Bournemouth's squad for its Premier League game at Fulham, The Associated Press quoted manager Andoni Iraola as saying on Friday.

The Cherries enter the weekend in sixth place — currently the Europa League spot — with three games left in the season.

Kluivert injured his left knee in Bournemouth's 3-2 loss to Arsenal on Jan. 3 and had surgery a few days later. He had scored two goals this season. He's been training with the team for the past two weeks.

Kluivert, the son of Dutch great Patrick Kluivert, returned to the national team under coach Ronald Koeman in November 2024 after a six-year absence.

The Dutch open their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14 in Group F. They also face Sweden and Tunisia.