Former Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu is set for a return to St Mary’s after leaving Spanish giants Barcelona over the summer.
The 34-year-old Spaniard previously turned out for the Saints across 7 seasons, soon becoming a fan favourite on the South Coast.
📝Oriol Romeu vuelve al Southampton como agente libre.
El jugador de Ulldecona está de vuelta en Inglaterra. #mercato @JijantesFC pic.twitter.com/XrXFKZjZxb
— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) November 3, 2025
A Need For Experience: Why This Move Could Be More Important Than Usual
Southampton are reportedly in advanced talks to re-sign Oriol Romeu on a free transfer, just a day after sacking manager Will Still following a winless Championship run that leaves them one point above relegation.
We can confirm that we have this evening parted ways with Men’s First Team Manager Will Still.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 2, 2025
The 34-year-old, a free agent since terminating his Barcelona contract in August, is said to be travelling to England for medicals in the coming days.
Romeu’s initial 8-year spell at St Mary’s from 2015 to 2022 established him as a club icon, featuring in 256 matches that delivered a record 6th-place Premier League finish, Europa League qualification, and the 2017 EFL Cup final.
His consistent defensive prowess earned Player of the Season accolades, blending tenacity with leadership that anchored multiple eras of the club.
On the pitch, Romeu’s 90% pass accuracy and tactical acumen could fortify a midfield depleted by injuries to Shea Charles and Flynn Downes, offering immediate stability in survival scraps.
Off it, his return might be essential in mentoring academy prospects, elevating the standards of a poor team so far this season and vital in reigniting supporter passion through his unwavering professionalism and emotional ties to St Mary’s.
What’s next? If medicals pass and the deal goes through, Romeu is poised to pen a deal until the end of the season, a debut could come before the next international break.
Official confirmation still awaits, but this rumoured homecoming signals intent amid turmoil for Southampton.
Will Still Sacked as The Saints Near Bottom 3: A Need For Experience In The Ranks
Southampton sacked manager Will Still yesterday, ending his 5-month stint after a 2-0 home loss to Preston North End. The 33-year-old’s departure leaves the club in turmoil, with just 2 wins from 13 Championship games.
Will Still, hired in May post-Premier League relegation, exited alongside his staff. 1 win in 11 across all competitions sealed his fate, positioning Saints 21st, 3 points above the drop zone with 12 points.
Following Still’s sacking, Technical director Johannes Spors stated:
“Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results.
“Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked. By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table.
“I would like to thank Will, Rubén, Clément and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future.”
This decline has crept in gradually. Promotion favourites via the 2024 playoffs, Southampton crumbled after top-flight relegation in April.
Managerial instability has rocked the Saints have had 9 changes at the helm since the Sport Republic takeover in 2022. In that time, Hasenhüttl, Jones, Selles, Martin, Rusk, Jurić, and now Still have all but failed in their jobs of making Southampton a secure top-flight team.
Injuries have also hit hard, Shea Charles with a hamstring injury, Flynn Downes with a recurring illness, whilst Ross Stewart and Samuel Edozie battle recurring injuries, while tactical experiments backfired. Crowds have dipped, boos are now starting to ring out, and most importantly now 16 points behind leaders Coventry.
Next up: Hull and Middlesbrough under Eckert. The Saints need to rapidly turn their fortunes.
Here’s a list of all names linked to the job, with 2 former managers rumoured, the Saints need results, and fast.
| Favourite | BetVictor | Oddschecker | Daily Echo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Martin | 6/4 | 6/4 | 1/1 |
| Michael Carrick | 5/1 | 5/1 | 8/1 |
| Ralph Hasenhüttl | 7/1 | 7/1 | 8/1 |
| Brendan Rodgers | 8/1 | 8/1 | 8/1 |
