Barcelona are reportedly preparing to sue LaLiga after the Spanish league blocked the registration of midfielder Dani Olmo, raising the possibility that the Euro 2024 winner could leave the club for free.
Olmo, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig for £50m in the summer, has been playing on a temporary permit granted by LaLiga, which expires on December 31. The temporary registration allowed Barcelona to field Olmo and fellow summer signing Pau Victor while the club sought additional revenue streams to meet LaLiga’s strict financial guidelines.
However, a court in Barcelona recently announced that it would not allow the permanent registration of Olmo, a decision that has left the Catalan giants facing significant challenges. The club had hoped to secure Olmo’s place for the remainder of the season, but with their financial situation still in flux, LaLiga has insisted that Barcelona must comply with its budgetary rules before making further signings.
In response to the ruling, Barcelona is reportedly preparing a lawsuit against LaLiga, challenging the validity of the registration restrictions. The club argues that the financial rules are enforced by a body that they consider incompetent. If the legal battle fails, Olmo could walk away from Camp Nou as a free agent, as he included a clause in his contract allowing him to leave if he was not properly registered.
LaLiga, on the other hand, has defended its decision, stating that the rules are in place to ensure fairness across the league and to maintain competitive balance. In a statement, the league emphasized the importance of applying budgetary rules consistently to all clubs.
The financial struggles at Barcelona have forced the club to explore other avenues of raising funds, including a potential sale of VIP seats, which could generate up to £166 million. However, despite these efforts, the uncertainty surrounding Olmo’s registration has attracted attention from several top clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal, all of whom are reportedly monitoring the situation.
Olmo, who has expressed a desire to stay at his boyhood club, now faces a difficult choice as his agent, Andy Bara, explores possible moves. Bara, a prominent agent whose portfolio includes high-profile deals such as the transfer of Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City, flew to Manchester this week to attend the City-Everton match, further fueling speculation about Olmo’s future.
