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Barcelona’s plans for the second half of the season have hit a major snag as the club struggles to secure the registration of Spain international Dani Olmo due to LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations. The Catalan giants face the prospect of losing the 26-year-old forward just months after his high-profile summer arrival.
Olmo, signed for €60 million from RB Leipzig, was temporarily registered for the first half of the season under a special provision linked to an injury to Andreas Christensen. This temporary status expired on December 31, and LaLiga announced on Tuesday that Barcelona had failed to present the necessary financial guarantees to extend Olmo’s registration.
LaLiga’s Statement and Barça’s Response
In an official statement, LaLiga confirmed that Barcelona had not met the economic requirements to register players from January 2 onward. The league emphasized its position, leaving Barça scrambling to resolve the situation.
Barcelona responded by requesting new licenses for Olmo and fellow forward Pau Victor from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). However, RFEF regulations complicate matters, as players cannot be re-registered with the same team in the same season after their licenses expire.
Sources close to the matter revealed that Barcelona plans to appeal for an exception and clarify the situation on January 3. Until then, the futures of Olmo and Victor remain in limbo.
Financial Constraints and Failed Solutions
Barcelona has faced persistent financial challenges, operating under a league-imposed spending cap of €426 million. Despite efforts to increase revenue, the club remains over the limit. In recent weeks, Barça pursued various measures to create room for player registrations, including selling VIP boxes and seating at the newly-renovated Spotify Camp Nou.
Reports suggest a deal worth approximately €100 million was reached, which would have allowed the club to comply with LaLiga’s rules. However, LaLiga either found issues with the documentation or deemed the deal insufficient to meet its requirements.
The club’s legal challenges to LaLiga’s interpretation of the rules also proved unsuccessful, further stalling the registration process.
Olmo’s Options and Speculation Over His Future
A clause in Olmo’s contract permits him to leave for free if he is not registered for the second half of the season. However, sources close to both the club and the player have indicated that neither party is considering that possibility.
Amid the uncertainty, reports have emerged linking Olmo with several top clubs in England and Germany, should he become available in the January transfer window. Despite the speculation, Olmo’s agent, Andy Bara, reaffirmed the player’s commitment to staying at Barcelona.
“The decision made by Dani is to stay at Barcelona. He wants to play for Barça and is not considering any other option,” Bara told reporters on Tuesday.
A Season in Doubt
Olmo has been a standout performer for Barcelona this season, scoring six goals in 15 appearances. However, the ongoing registration crisis casts doubt on his ability to continue contributing in the second half of the campaign.
As Barcelona navigates this complex situation, the club faces mounting pressure to resolve its financial woes while retaining key players like Olmo to maintain its competitive edge.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / David Pickup, Instagram @daniolmo
