Dani Olmo is no longer listed in Barcelona’s squad on La Liga’s official team page following the expiration of his temporary registration on December 31. Initially registered as an emergency replacement due to Andreas Christensen’s injury, the midfielder now faces an unclear future.
Barcelona has twice sought to extend Olmo’s registration through legal appeals but failed to secure approval. The club had hoped to resolve the issue by selling a €120 million portion of VIP seats at Camp Nou. However, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, they could not provide adequate evidence of future income to satisfy La Liga’s economic control requirements. This left the governing body no choice but to reject their proposed financial plan.
La Liga reiterated its position in a statement:
“As of today, December 31, FC Barcelona has not presented an alternative that complies with La Liga’s economic control regulations, enabling it to register any player from January 2.”
Regulatory challenges and appeal to RFEF
Barcelona’s options are further restricted by La Liga rules, which prohibit players from being registered, de-registered, and then re-registered by the same club within a single season unless specific conditions, such as injuries, justify it. This ruling adds a significant complication to the club’s attempts to re-register Olmo.
Barcelona has appealed to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for assistance. In a statement, the club announced:
“FC Barcelona informs that it has applied for a new license for the players Daniel Olmo and Pau Víctor to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).”
However, reports suggest that the RFEF cannot grant a new license without prior approval from La Liga, which remains unwilling to change its stance.
Possible outcomes and financial repercussions
Should Barcelona fail to resolve the matter, Olmo could terminate his contract and sign with another club. Several Premier League teams are reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
If Olmo chooses to leave, Barcelona would face substantial financial consequences. Despite a contract running until 2030, Olmo could demand full payment of his salary and other contractual commitments. Additionally, Barcelona would need to pay the remaining €48 million transfer fee to RB Leipzig in full, as they could no longer amortize it over the duration of the contract. Altogether, the total cost to the club could exceed €130 million.
For now, Olmo’s agent has emphasized the player’s preference to remain with Barcelona. Social media posts from Olmo’s New Year’s celebrations, featuring Blaugrana-themed imagery, have further hinted at his desire to stay with the Catalan side. However, the final decision lies in the hands of football authorities and Barcelona’s ability to navigate this challenging scenario.
