Barcelona set their sights on Leipzig’s Dani Olmo

In the final days of the summer transfer window, Barcelona reportedly made a last-minute bid for RB Leipzig attacker, Dani Olmo.

The link was not without its merits as the Catalans apparently reached personal terms on a five-year deal with the former La Masia player.

However, the signing was unable to be made as they were unable to reach an agreement with Leipzig as the German side did not want to sell Olmo. Despite that, Barcelona are not giving up on the 23-year-old.

Barcelona to go back for Olmo during the winter transfer window

Journalist Oriol Domènech from ‘Esport 3 teased a report on a new signing on his social media and revealed the club were very much interested in the player. Furthermore, he also stated that Barcelona are willing to spend €70 million to secure his signing.

According to Sport, Barcelona have €60 million to spend during the next transfer window. They may need to spend more than that for Olmo. That is potentially too high a number to pay and one has to wonder whether the club would be better off using that money on other signings or on extending Ansu Fati and Pedri.

Olmo was asked about the link to his former club and about a possible return.

"“There was no time to even think about a transfer, everything happened too quickly, For now I have my mind on the season with Leipzig, and I’m fine here. I really want to play, to fight in international tournaments again. That is my motivation.” Olmo said.Source: Marca"

What Olmo has in his favor is the Barcelona board reached a consensus that he is a player they really want and someone who will fit their system without needing too much time to acclimate himself.

Olmo left La Masia to join Dinamo Zagreb in 2014 when he was 16 years old. His gamble paid off and six years later made the jump to the Bundesliga when he was signed by RB Leipzig. Barcelona had the opportunity to sign him back then but decided against it.

He shined in his debut season which earned Olmo a call-up to the Spain national team where he took part in both Euro 2020 and the Olympics where Spain won a silver medal.

The signing is not going to be easy. Olmo has a contract that does not run out until 2024. In other words, Leipzig have no incentive to sell him unless an offer arrives too good to turn down. Another factor is whether there are any hard feelings with how the deal for Ilaix Moriba played out.

Leipzig ended up signing the former Barcelona midfielder but it was at a price the Germans were initially reluctant to pay. They are going to play hardball and are going to try to get the most they can out of a possible negotiation.

Given Barcelona’s financial situation, they cannot get involved in any sort of bidding war. Not to mention signing Olmo could mean they don’t get in the running for a striker, which is a position they desperately need to fill.

While Barcelona will try to secure a deal once the transfer window opens, if no deal is reached then, they are going to try again come next summer. Olmo is someone they’ve set their sights on and will do whatever they can to bring him home.