Dani Olmo’s future at Barcelona is clouded with uncertainty as the club faces ongoing financial challenges. The 26-year-old midfielder, who joined the Catalan giants from RB Leipzig in August for a reported £51 million, finds himself ineligible for registration for the second half of the season due to LaLiga’s wage restrictions.
Barcelona initially managed to register olmo for the first part of the campaign,but recent efforts to secure his spot for the remainder of the season were blocked.
On Saturday, a joint decision by laliga and the Spanish football federation (RFEF) denied Barcelona’s request to register Olmo and forward Pau Victor.
A statement from the RFEF’s Monitoring Committee clarified the rejection. It cited articles 130.2 and 141.5 of the General Regulations, which prohibit a player whose license is canceled from being re-registered with the same team in the same season.
Although Barcelona recently complied with LaLiga’s economic control requirements, the committee concluded that Olmo and Victor’s registrations did not meet regulatory standards.
Olmo, who began his career at Barcelona’s youth academy before moving to Dinamo Zagreb at 16, has been a standout performer this season.
With six goals in 15 appearances, he has attracted interest from top European clubs. Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly monitoring his situation closely, considering a potential January transfer.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, expressed caution about winter signings, emphasizing that new additions alone don’t guarantee success. “Signing someone is not enough,” Arteta stated.
“That signing has to deliver consistently. I’m happy with the players we have and the goals we’ve scored, which should be enough to win the league. But if others do more, we have to be better.”
As Barcelona’s financial struggles persist, the uncertainty surrounding Olmo could lead to a transfer battle among Europe’s elite, making him one of the most sought-after players in the January window.
