Barcelona failed with attempt to sign €60m-rated target in 2021 after Griezmann exit | OneFootball

Barcelona are currently filtering down the options they have on their table to reinforce the left wing this summer.

Xavi Simons and Nico Williams have emerged as promising targets, albeit both are complicated by their own factors. Meanwhile, the name of former La Masia star Dani Olmo has also come up as an option for the Catalans, and not for the first time.

A long-standing target

As revealed in a recent report via AS, Olmo has been a long-standing target for Barcelona, and particularly, for Joan Laporta.

When the president stepped into his offices at the beginning of his second tenure in 2021, the Spanish winger was a priority target for the administration.

Progress was made with Olmo’s entourage at the time, but the deal fell apart eventually owing to the club’s poor finances.

Even the departure of Lionel Messi and the sale of Antoine Griezmann at the time could not fund the youngster’s arrival.

Olmo is a long-standing target for Barça. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

Olmo is again on Barcelona’s radar three years later, but the situation is not much rosier than it was in 2021. With a release clause set at €60 million, Barcelona are far from in a position to trigger his departure.

After all, the gross value of the deal including the player’s hefty salary could go over €100 million.

Xavi is an admirer

Olmo has always wanted to return to La Liga after his development in Germany, and the conditions are right for him to return to Barcelona barring his contractual situation.

Xavi, in particular, is said to be a big fan of the Spaniard’s profile after all. The tactician sees his versatility, tactical understanding, comfort on the ball and differential factor in front of goal to be of great promise.

The 26-year-old has five assists and four goals for RB Leipzig in this season’s Bundesliga alone and has once again attracted interest from across the globe.

With clubs from the Premier League interested as well, a move to Barcelona appears complicated.