Despite not being registered, Olmo says he wants to remain at Barca

January 3 – Barcelona star Dani Olmo has denied, via his agent, of any ongoing transfer talks amid speculation the Euro 2024 winner could leave the Catalan club on a free transfer.

Olmo’s agent, Andy Bara, said that “the Olmo camp is not negotiating with any club.”

The uncertainty surrounding Olmo’s future stems from his current registration issues with Barcelona. After rejoining the club in a $60 million summer move from RB Leipzig, Olmo was only registered to play until December 31. As that date passed, both a judge and La Liga refused to grant him a new license, and Olmo has since been removed from Barca’s official squad listing on La Liga’s website.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges Barcelona faces with player registrations and La Liga’s stringent financial controls. With a large number of highly paid players the club can’t afford to register all of them in order to meet financial regulations and Olmo is the ultimate sacrifice in order to stay within the rules.

With no resolution in sight, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder is technically free to leave the club.

Reports have linked him to potential moves to the Premier League, but Bara’s comments suggest Olmo remains committed to resolving his situation with Barcelona.

The saga presents another challenge for financially strained Barcelona, who are now racing against time to find a solution. Olmo, a product of the club’s famed La Masia academy, returned to much fanfare last summer, and his departure would be a significant blow to Hansi Flick’s plans.

“Dani is Barcelona player and he wants to be a Barcelona player. He has made a big effort in his life to be at Barcelona. It was his desire for a long time,” said Bara.

“Barcelona is the first and last option! Dani, his father, family, me, we’re not thinking about other options,” he continued.

“They made a big effort to bring in Dani last summer. We like their project, it’s a big one for the future, one of the best in the world in the next years. We fully believe Barcelona will win all the titles in the future like they did during the [Lionel] Messi era. The player, the family, me. We all wanted Dani to be at Barcelona.”

Though the clock is ticking, Bara said: “I believe that Barcelona will finalise everything and make it happen.”

“La Liga should help them, instead of these reports of Dani not being available for the national team, but I’m sure he will be at Barca for many years. He’s happy at the club and Dani has a desire to be there,” Bara concluded.

As it stands, Olmo is unavailable for Saturday’s Copa del Rey match against Barbastro under Hansi Flick, as well as the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club shortly after.

Olmo was a pivotal part of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, and would have no shortage of suitors if he is forced to move on from a painfully short stint in Catalunya.

Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1736372993labto1736372993ofdlr1736372993owedi1736372993sni@g1736372993niwe.1736372993yrrah1736372993