COLOGNE, GERMANY - AUGUST 10: Sergio Romero of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final between Manchester United and FC Kobenhavn at RheinEnergieStadion on August 10, 2020 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Sergio Romero is on the verge of finally finding a new club after leaving Manchester United in June.
The Argentine goalkeeper is close to wrapping up a move to Serie A side Venezia.
Fabrizio Romano reported Romero underwent his medical with Venezia on Monday and an announcement is due shortly.
Romero, 34, is too good a player to be without a club and it is about time he gets his career back on track.
His last competitive game was the Europa League quarter-final against Copenhagen in August 2020, in which he kept a clean sheet.
Romero was controversially dropped for the semi-final, which United lost, and then denied a loan or permanent exit last summer as his spell at the club threatened to turn sour.
Romero effectively sat out the season on a highly paid contract and has been trying to find a new club since his United deal expired in June.
The former World Cup finalist came closest to signing with La Liga side Granada, Spanish outlet Ideal reported in August. The club then went with an alternative (possibly cheaper) option.
While a free transfer, Romero’s name value still allows him to demand a decent wage, and an agreement seems to have been struck with Venezia.
A return to Serie A
Romero will become the eighth and final player released by Manchester United in the summer to find a new club, and the second to head to Italy, following Aliou Traore, who signed with Parma.
Romero’s new club Venezia play in Italy’s top flight and sit 17th out of 20 teams.
He will compete with Finland international Niki Maenpaa for the goalkeeper spot, who is two years older than Romero at 36-years-old.
Romero is seen as an ‘extra option’ in goal for the club who will provide competition and potentially be number one.
Sky Sport Italia report Romero will sign a one-year deal with an option of an extra year. Maenpaa’s deal also runs to 2023.
Venezia have beaten competition from relegation rivals Spezia (19th) who were also interested in Romero.
Romero has experience in Serie A already, having played for Sampdoria between 2011 and 2015, when he enjoyed the best spell of his career, claiming the Argentina number one jersey.
Manchester United signed him as a free agent in 2015 and he went on to play 61 times for the club.
Venezia’s deal for Romero is expected to be confirmed imminently and we wish him well.
He served United excellently in his role and it always felt like he had more to give, and was badly let down with three semi-final snubs in 2019/20 – of which United lost them all.
