Barcelona stance opens door for Man Utd as they move for €40m creative talent

Dani Olmo TEAMtalk

Manchester United are chasing Dinamo Zagreb playmaker Dani Olmo, according to a report in Spain.

The 21-year-old Spain international recently ignited talk of a move this month when talking about his ambition to play at Euro 2020.

“It makes me happy the idea that Barcelona reconsider the possibility of bringing me home,” he told Catalan newspaper L’Esportiu.

“My goal is to go to the European Championship [with Spain] and it will be difficult for me if in the next six months I’m only playing in a smaller league, like the one in Croatia.”

La Masia product Olmo is a prime target for Barcelona, the side he left as a child to pursue his career in Croatia, but they are intent on signing the player next summer.

Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness say Barca sources have “completely ruled out” a deal this month and want Olmo to hang around until the summer when Ernesto Valverde will make his move.

That could well leave the door open for United  with Mundo Deportivo reporting Olmo is “on the agenda” of United, as well as Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.

Tottenham and Chelsea are also believed to be keen on the attacker, whose current contract runs out in 2021, and all the indications are that he will not sign a new deal in Zagreb.

Dinamo will be keen to entertain a January auction for the player, with a fee of around €40million understood to be what they are looking for.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to add some creativity to his side this month and The Independent claiming Jack Grealish and James Maddison have been prioritised this month.

Olmo’s stats though of eight goals and seven assists this season, albeit in a worse league, are comparable with the two burgeoning England players and Olmo would could at a considerably cheaper price.

 

 

However, Olmo’s desire to play in the Champions League could well see a move to United further down his list of options.

“Last summer was an ideal time to take a next step,” he recently told Jugones.

“In the end it did not happen and I said that I was equally happy because I wanted to play Champions League.

“But I think my cycle there is over and I want to take the next step to continue improving.”

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