Barcelona star Dani Olmo is at risk of being banned from playing for the club after his temporary registration expires at the end of December, potentially forcing his departure on a free transfer.
Olmo, 26, joined Barcelona in August in a £50 million transfer from RB Leipzig, hailed as a marquee signing after his standout performances for Spain at Euro 2024. However, Barcelona’s ongoing financial constraints initially prevented the La Masia graduate’s registration.
The playmaker was only allowed to feature for the team when defender Andreas Christensen sustained a long-term injury, enabling Olmo to be registered on a temporary emergency basis. Since then, he has excelled, scoring six goals and providing one assist in 14 appearances, helping Barcelona top La Liga.
But Olmo’s emergency registration ends on December 31, leaving Barcelona scrambling to secure his spot on the team permanently. Failure to do so will result in Olmo being ineligible to play, activating a contractual clause that allows him to leave on a free transfer in January.
Sporting director Deco assured fans that the situation would be resolved before the deadline, stating, “Yes, of course, we will register Olmo properly. We’re working on it, and everyone is calm. There are internal issues, but don’t worry, we’ll fix it. The player is calm as well.”
Barcelona is reportedly exploring multiple options to generate the necessary funds, including finalizing a new kit sponsorship deal with Nike, selling rights to VIP boxes at the Nou Camp, or having a board member provide a personal financial guarantee. A members’ vote on the Nike deal is set for December 21.
Olmo’s departure would be a significant blow for Barcelona, given his vital contributions since his arrival. While the player was reportedly aware of the registration challenges upon signing, both he and the club remain committed to finding a resolution.
As the deadline looms, Barcelona must act swiftly to avoid losing one of their top performers mid-season.
