Southampton: £65k-a-week star could make shock St Mary's exit

Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu could end his seven-year stay at St Mary’s Stadium if he doesn’t sign a contract extension, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

The ex-Chelsea ace has entered the final 12 months of his Saints terms, which could see him follow Fraser Forster and Shane Long through the exit door on the south coast this summer.

Romeu arrived at Southampton in a £5m deal from Chelsea back in 2015 and has gone on to establish himself as an incredibly reliable engine room operator.

In his seven seasons at the club, the Spaniard has missed just 40 Premier League games and has gone on to register eight goals and five assists in 255 appearances in total for the club.

Romeu started the opening day defeat at Tottenham, but he was an unused substitute against Leeds last weekend, with Ralph Hasenhuttl opting to partner Romeo Lavia alongside James Ward-Prowse, which could suggest that his days at the club might be numbered.

While Barclay has praised Romeu’s contribution in recent years, he still reckons his contract situation could lead to a Southampton exit in the days ahead.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s an influential player who’s struck up a great partnership with James over the last few years and has been a key player.

“When Ralph first took over, I don’t think Romeu was seen as the answer, and they were looking to go in a different direction, but he forced his way in, and Ralph has often said that he’s the most professional player he’s ever worked with.

“But having said that, his contract his up at the end of the season, so unless he looks to sign a new deal, selling him now means they can get a relatively decent fee, so the way Southampton operate, it doesn’t surprise me that they might look to move