Chelsea remain confident keeping Oriol Romeu long-term, despite talk of him returning to Barcelona.

Chelsea are confident they hold all the aces, insisting Barca only have first option if they decide to sell - after paying £4.5 for him.

However, they may struggle to keep the player if he has his heart set on a Nou Camp return.

Manchester United and Arsenal failed to keep Barca raised duo Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas in similar circumstances. Losing Romeu, who has played for Spain at under 17, 19, 20 and 21 level, would put a huge dent in Andre Villas-Boas' rebuilding plans.