Barcelona have reportedly ended their pursuit of RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Dani Olmo, but Real Madrid remain keen on signing the Spaniard.
According to a report from 24sata, Barcelona have decided to end their interest in RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo, but arch-rivals Real Madrid are keen to sign up the former La Masia trainee in the summer transfer window.
Olmo left Barcelona’s La Masia academy in 2018 to sign for Dinamo Zagreb and progressed rapidly in Croatia before securing a transfer to RB Leipzig in January 2020. Over the past couple of years in Germany, the 23-year-old has grown into a key player for the Bundesliga club, making 67 appearances in which he has 12 goals and 14 assists.
It had led to a serious interest in his services from former club Barcelona. The Catalans had been keen on signing Olmo back in the summer this year, but Leipzig rejected a deal. However, talks over a move either in January or the summer transfer window of 2022 had continued, and it was largely expected that an agreement would be reached.
However, as per the latest reports, Barcelona have now decided to call off their pursuit of the Spanish international. The Blaugrana have bolstered their frontline with the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City in a deal worth €55 million. And having that much on a new forward, Xavi Hernandez & co. are unlikely to invest in another player of a similar profile in the summer.
This development could come as a major boost for their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, who remain intent on capturing the services of Olmo. With Luka Modric nearing the final phase of his career and the likes of Isco, Dani Ceballos headed for an exit, Los Blancos could do with another creative midfielder in their ranks in the summer.
Olmo, to that end, has been identified as a viable option by Carlo Ancelotti & co., with reports indicating that the Spanish international would also be open to joining Los Blancos. The 23-year-old’s release clause stands at a whopping €75 million, but clubs are unlikely to be willing to meet that valuation, especially in light of the attacking midfielder’s recent injury problems.
So, the report claims that a sum of €50 million could be a more realistic valuation for Olmo, which should not be a major problem for Real Madrid. What remains to be seen is if they have a clear run at signing the former La Masia trainee or whether Barcelona change their stance and decide to re-enter the race to land the RB Leipzig star at the end of the season.
