Real Madrid are eyeing a loan-to-buy January swoop for RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo, who is also a transfer target for Barcelona and Manchester United.
According to a report from Catalan publication El Nacional, Real Madrid are considering making a move to sign RB Leipzig and Spain attacking midfielder Dani Olmo in the January transfer window. Barcelona and Manchester United are also pursuing the 23-year-old.
A former trainee of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, Olmo left the Catalan giants to join Dinamo Zagreb in 2015 at a young age and built a reputation for himself as one of the most exciting prospects in Europe. The 23-year-old signed for RB Leipzig in January last year and has continued to make a name for himself.
To date, Olmo has made 67 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, notching up 12 goals and 14 assists. He has also carved out a place for himself in the Spanish national team and made a distinct impression during La Roja’s semi-final run in the UEFA Euro 2020 earlier this year.
Olmo’s growth at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig has been closely followed by his boyhood club Barcelona, who are keen on bringing him back to the club. The Catalans had expressed an interest in signing the 23-year-old in the summer when they negotiated with Leipzig to sell Ilaix Moriba. However, the German outfit were unwilling to do business.
However, Barcelona have continued to hold an interest in the versatile attacking midfielder. Olmo can play on either flank, as a No. 10 or even as a false nine – a quality that new manager Xavi Hernandez admires as he seeks reinforcements to his injury-stricken and goal-shy attacking unit.
But, the Blaugrana will have to contend with competition from Premier League giants Manchester United, who intend to sign the playmaker in January. While their interest in Olmo goes back a long way, it has only amplified since the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as the interim manager. After all, it was the German who brought the midfielder to Leipzig.
Jesse Lingard is likely to be on his way out in January, and Juan Mata’s contract is also expiring at the end of the season. Throw in the uncertainties surrounding the futures of Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek, and one can understand why the Red Devils are pursuing Olmo’s signature.
Now, though, Real Madrid have also entered the race to sign the 23-year-old ex-Barcelona starlet. It is claimed that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has been following the player closely and wants to add him to the roster at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spaniard could potentially be viewed as the long-term replacement for Luka Modric at the club.
Furthermore, with Isco, Dani Ceballos and possibly Eden Hazard expected to leave soon, Olmo would also add quality depth to the Real Madrid squad. To that end, the Merengues are willing to take the Spanish international, valued at €60 million, on loan in January with an option to buy him at the end of the season.
With Barcelona not in a position to meet the financial demands of the deal, Real Madrid have a slight advantage. But with Olmo reportedly desiring a return to Catalonia, it could make for an interesting battle for his services.
