Barcelona are reportedly ready to open talks with RB Leipzig for the signing of Dani Olmo, with a meeting scheduled with the German giants.
According to a report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are set to press ahead with their pursuit of RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo and are set to hold talks with the German outfit over a potential transfer.
A former trainee at Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth setup, Olmo has grown leaps and bounds since leaving Catalonia for Croatia in 2014. Having completed his footballing education at Dinamo Zagreb, the Spaniard established himself as one of the hottest young prospects in Europe, before securing a transfer to Leipzig in January last year.
Since arriving in Germany, Olmo has continued to make rapid strides, becoming a key player for the Bundesliga giants while also breaking into the Spanish national team as well. The 23-year-old’s progress has put Barcelona on high alert, with the Catalans now plotting to bring him back to the club at the earliest possible.
Indeed, the Blaugrana tried to sign Olmo late in the summer transfer window, with the player himself open to making the switch, having already agreed personal terms as well. However, Leipzig’s reluctance to lose a key player of theirs so late in the window meant that a move did not materialise.
However, Barcelona are eyeing a move for the Spanish international in 2022, either in the January transfer window or the summer. To that end, they are now hoping to convince Leipzig to part ways with Olmo and have scheduled a meeting to hold talks in the coming weeks.
There is a sense of confidence that the Bundesliga club will be open to doing business in the summer as Olmo will be entering the last two years of his contract which runs out in 2024. As per the report, they would rather cash in on him then, rather than letting him enter the last twelve months of his deal and lose him in a cut-price deal.
That does bode well for Barcelona, who could most certainly do with a player of Olmo’s ability. Versatile enough to play on the flanks, through the middle or even in midfield, the former La Masia prospect would add a lot of value to this squad. And given his age, the 23-year-old could form the core of this Barcelona team alongside the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri for years to come.
RB Leipzig, though, have made it clear that they will want a sum of €75 million for their prized asset. It will certainly be interesting to see if Barcelona are able to stump up that fee considering their poor financial health.
