Olmo: Barcelona submit bid for Dinamo Zagreb player
Mundo Deportivo reports that Barça have made an initial offer for Dani Olmo, with club sources confirming their interest in their former youth player.
Barcelona have tabled an offer for Dinamo Zagreb's Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo, the Catalonia-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo has reported.
Initial Barcelona Olmo bid not likely to be accepted
MD says that this bid for Olmo, who spent seven years in Barça's youth set-up between 2007 and 2014, is not likely to be accepted by the Croatian champions. However, with Blaugrana sources confirming to AS their interest in bringing the 21-year-old back to the Camp Nou, the offer is seen at the club as the first step towards a deal, either in January or in the summer window.
Olmo keen to "take the next step to keep on improving"
Speaking to the Spanish television programme 'Jugones' last week, Olmo admitted that he's eyeing a move from Dinamo, where he has made 124 first-team appearances in five seasons. "Last summer was the ideal moment to take the next step, but in the end it didn't happen and, as I said then, I was happy [to stay] because I wanted to play in the Champions League," he said. "But I think my cycle there has ended and it's time to take the next step to keep on improving."
AS understands that Dinamo are open to negotiating a transfer following their European elimination, but will not accept any less than 30 to 35 million euros for a player who was included in UEFA's Champions League 'breakthrough team' for 2019. Atlético Madrid have also targeted Olmo this January after being impressed by his displays, although the purchase of a striker is their current priority.
Olmo given maiden Spain cap in November
Olmo has a burgeoning reputation in world football after not only shining in the Champions League group stage, but also starring for Spain in their European Under-21 Championship victory in the summer. Only the performances of Fabián Ruiz prevented him from being named the tournament's best player, although he was chosen as 'man of the match' in La Rojita's 2-1 final win over Germany.
To top off a successful 2019, the midfielder was handed his senior Spain debut in November's Euro 2020 qualifier against Malta, capping his international bow with a goal as the Spaniards recorded a thumping 7-0 triumph.