Red Bull Leipzig have told Barcelona that Dani Olmo will cost €80 million, according to Sky Sports Germany.
Dani Olmo grew up as a footballer in Barcelona’s La Masia academy and made no appearances for the club before moving on in his teens to Dinamo Zagreb where he showed the results of his La Masia training.
Olmo was considered one of the world’s best youngsters at the Croatian club and was eventually snapped up after six years at Zagreb by RB Leipzig in 2020 where he has continued to show his quality.
He has remained a key target of many clubs and Barcelona only entered into the equation in 2020 when the attacking midfielder began to make waves with the Spain national team.
Barcelona have made inquiries to bring their former charge back to the club which have Been rebuffed by Leipzig, who consider the Spaniard to be an important player.
Sky Sports Germany now reports that the club have slapped an €80 million price tag on Olmo which any club, including Barcelona, have to pay to secure his services.
Olmo has a contract with RB Leipzig that expires in the summer of 2024 and is currently valued €50 million. However, the €80 million tag is what the club requires if any club will buy Olmo and the rest of his Leipzig contract.
Barcelona to sell some attackers next season
Barcelona currently have eight attackers available after their transfer business in the summer and winter windows of the current season.
However, they still prioritise the signing of Erling Haaland and are also very much interested in Olmo. With both players set to come at a premium, the club is reportedly ready to offload some of their current eight attackers.
Sevilla forward Luuk De Jong who is on loan at the club is set to leave after his loan spell is up. Wolverhampton Wanderers forward and former La Masia talent Adama Traore could also return to England after his loan spell is up, but currently has more options to remain at the club than De Jong does.
Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite are the two attackers who could be sold in the summer to make way for the signings of Haaland and possibly Olmo.
Both players want to remain at the club but injuries and loss of form have affected both players greatly. The arrival of Ferran Torres is also a big issue for both strikers especially as Xavi Hernandez sees his dream front three to be made up of Torres, Haaland and Ansu Fati.
Depay especially could be sold to bring in some cash seeing as he joined the club for free and on contract until 2023. His exit is the most beneficial for the club who could seek to cash in on the player.
Barcelona looking to renew contracts in the summer
Alongside the signings of Haaland and Olmo, the Catalan club are looking to renew the contracts of Pablo Paez Gavira “Gavi” and Ronald Araujo before the summer, or in the summer at the latest.
Both youngsters have grown into key players for Xavi’s side in the past few months, Gavi especially. Liverpool is reported to be monitoring Gabi’s contract situation at the club and are ready to swoop in for him as they see him as a replacement to Georginio Wijnaldum.
Barcelona are also looking to renew versatile midfielder Sergi Roberto’s contract. The 30-year-old La Masia graduate will be out of a contract at the club in the summer and his representatives are currently readying themselves for a meeting with Barcelona’s hierarchy over his renewal.
However, Marca reports that Roberto will have to cut his wages by 50% to stay at the club, due to the club placing priority on the signing of Haaland, as well as their wish to raise funds for Olmo’s signing.
