Barcelona coach Romeu demands swift contract renewals for Pajor and five other stars before 2027 expiry

Coach's public appeal

Barcelona Femení head coach Pere Romeu has used an interview with "Mundo Deportivo" to press the club's board into immediate contract renewal talks for six first-team players whose deals expire in June 2027. Romeu, who recently extended his own agreement with the club, stressed that the matter could not wait until the critical phase of the season.

This is a matter that needs to be addressed now.

The players identified by Romeu are Ewa Pajor, Patricia Guijarro, Esmee Brugts, Sydney Schertenleib, Irene Paredes and Gemma Font. All six are entering the final year of their current terms.

We need to manage the process of extending contracts with players in whom we have full confidence and who are the backbone of the team.

Romeu warned that unresolved futures risk draining the squad's focus during the title run-in. "We cannot allow a situation where, throughout the season, they will be thinking about their future and new contracts," he said. "The sooner such matters are settled, the better for the players, the club and the whole team."

Pajor's impact at Barcelona

Ewa Pajor joined Barcelona from VfL Wolfsburg in June 2024 on a three-year contract. In two seasons she has scored more than 70 goals for the club and cemented herself as a leader of the attack. The 29-year-old helped the team to a clean sweep of domestic trophies in 2025/26, winning Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Supercopa de España.

Her crowning contribution came in the UEFA Women's Champions League final, where Barcelona thrashed Olympique Lyon 4-0. Pajor scored two goals and provided an assist, finishing the competition as its top scorer with 11 strikes. The victory marked Barcelona's fourth European title in six consecutive final appearances.

The contract timeline

Pajor's deal, like those of the five other players, runs out after the 2026/27 campaign. The coach's public push comes at the very start of the last season under the existing terms. Romeu made it clear he sees no reason to delay, given the trust the staff places in the group.

If we constantly think about matters connected with extending contracts, that will somewhat distract the players from the season's objectives. We cannot, we should not allow that.

Romeu acknowledged that his own recent renewal had included guarantees he wanted for his backroom staff. "There were issues I wanted to improve. I was very keen to keep most of my coaching staff and to improve their working conditions. That was achieved," he said. He now expects the board to move with the same urgency for the group he described as the "pillar" of the project.