Dani Olmo has three clubs on the table as Barcelona lose second appeal to register player in dramatic twist

Another update has emerged in Dani Olmo’s Barcelona saga as three clubs have emerged as the favourites to ‘sign’ the player.

Olmo, 26, signed for the Spanish giants from RB Leipzig for a reported £51m in the summer of 2024, as per BBC Sport.

After impressing during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, he penned a move to Barca.

However, since then, things have been far from simple.

Initially, the Catalan club was unable to register the player due to La Liga’s wage restrictions.

But he and teammate Pau Victor were eventually registered after several long-term injuries ravaged the squad. The agreement was for the first half of the season and ended at the end of the year (2024).

On December 27, BBC Sport reported that Barcelona saw an appeal for the “precautionary registration of Dani Olmo” rejected, meaning he would not be able to play for the club from January 1.

Then, on December 30, the Spanish side lodged another appeal, with BBC Sport explaining how the second appeal was lost just one day before his registration was due to expire.

According to La Liga, "none of the conditions necessary for the adoption of the precautionary measure were met”.

But the saga has taken a few twists and turns since then. On December 31, the player’s agent spoke to well-respected journalist Fabrizio Romano via Give Me Sport.

Andy Bara claimed that his client “is to stay at Barcelona”, explaining how Olmo wants to “play for Barca”, insisting his "desire is very clear".

However, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo also reported that up to nine clubs were interested in potentially signing the player, with six Premier League teams and three Bundesliga sides linked.

Dani Olmo is attracting interest from several clubs (Credit:Getty)

Now, three front-runners have emerged. As reported by Fichajes, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City are the ‘top suitors’ ready to capitalise on Barca’s situation.

Given the fact Olmo plays mainly as a ‘number ten’, a move to Bayern may be unlikely as Jamal Musiala is Vincent Kompany’s first-choice, with the German registering nine goals and two assists in just 13 Bundesliga games this term.

Ruben Amorim would likely welcome a player of such quality, but with United not playing in the Champions League, this could prove to be an issue.

While a move to City could make be a live option, Kevin De Bruyne has struggled with injuries and lack of form, as has Phil Foden, so a switch to Pep Guardiola’s side would arguably make sense if Olmo were to leave Barca. His impressive technical ability and eye for a goal would likely suit the demands of Guardiola's side.