Welcome back to FC Barcelona, Dani Olmo. The 2024 Spanish Euro champion is on his way to finalizing his signature to the Blaugrana on a fee of up to $68 million ($60m guaranteed plus add-ons).
Olmo was one of Hansi Flick’s top transfer targets, especially after his stellar Euros performance. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder finished the tournament as the joint Golden Boot winner (3 strikes), making a prime last-second clearance to help La Roja to their fourth Euros title. He also netted the winner in the semi-finals against France.
It was reported that the deal had to be finalized before Thursday, or the player would “have to” return to Leipzig training. Olmo has spent the last four and half years starring for the Bundesliga side, netting 29 times and providing 34 assists in 148 appearances.
Olmo is the third player to recently return to Barcelona after leaving the club as a teenager. He boldly left Barcelona at 16 to pursue first-team ball at Dinamo Zagreb in 2014.
La Masia graduate Adama Traore returned on loan to the club in January 2022 to little avail; Xavi preferred Ousmane Dembélé. And defender Hector Bellerin signed a one-year deal with the Catalan giants after leaving Arsenal in 2022.
As they say, the third time’s a charm, and Olmo has plenty of talent to foot the bill. He certainly adds quality and depth to the left wing. He’ll now link up with compatriots Yamal, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, and Ferran Torres.
