Source: Team_Talk
Blues snap up £4.35m Oriol
Chelsea have completed the £4.35million signing of Oriol Romeu from Barcelona on a four-year deal.[LNB] The 19-year-old is the second arrival of the Andre Villas-Boas era and will link up with his new team-mates at the end of Spain's Under-20 World Cup campaign.[LNB]Barca confirmed Chelsea had paid 5million euros for the midfielder, with the deal including a buy-back clause of 10million euros after one year and 15million euros after two.[LNB]The fee was agreed 11 days ago for the midfielder, who was quoted this week as saying: "Chelsea is a great option for me.[LNB]"Leaving Barca hurts, but you have to take your chances."[LNB]Oriol's agent, Magico Diaz, reportedly jetted out to Columbia this week to seal the deal.[LNB]That is where Oriol is currently based, having played 90 minutes in Spain's opening two 4-1 and 2-0 victories over Costa Rica and Ecuador respectively at the Under-20 World Cup.[LNB]His arrival at Stamford Bridge will help offset the loss of Michael Essien, who faces six months out with a serious knee injury.[LNB]Speaking after the fee had been agreed, Villas-Boas said: "It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien's injury and Oriol is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player.[LNB]"The Barcelona B team had a magnificent year in the Spanish second division, they finished third.[LNB]"Oriol had an injury during the season but he came back late on and was in time to play for the first team.[LNB]"So he is one of the most promising young players in that position."[LNB]Oriol, who is 6ft and can also play central defence, made his first-team debut for Barca at the end of last season but head coach Pep Guardiola deemed him surplus to requirements.[LNB]Chelsea have already signed Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Genk, immediately loaning him out to Atletico Madrid.[LNB]And that is unlikely to be the end of the Blues' spending before the start of the season.[LNB]They have seen two bids for Luka Modric rejected this summer and were this week pondering to make a third and final offer for the Tottenham playmaker.[LNB]There have also been reports linking Yury Zhirkov and Alex with moves away from Stamford Bridge.[LNB]
