Manchester United set to battle it out with Liverpool for the signing of RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo
According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United have been handed an opportunity to sign RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo this summer, with the player’s admirers given an extra five days to trigger his £55million release clause.
Dani Olmo has been among the top stars at the Euro 2024. He has netted in all three of Spain’s knockout games, including the winner against France in the semi-finals on Tuesday. The Spanish international’s efforts at the European Championships, coming off the back of an eye-catching campaign with RB Leipzig in Germany, has also caught the attention of clubs such as Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
The aforementioned report claims that the 26-year-old’s £55million release clause is set to expire on Monday (July 15), but that deadline has been extended due to Spain’s qualification to the Euro 2024 final where they will play England on Sunday.
Olmo has been a fantastic performer for RB Leipzig ever since arriving from Dinamo Zagreb in January 2020, netting 29 goals and registering 34 assists in 148 appearances across all competitions for the German side. Before his move to RB Leipzig, the Terrassa-born playmaker had won nine major honours in six years at Dinamo Zagreb.
At 26, the Spaniard is seemingly looking for a new challenge as evidenced by his latest comments on his future. Having helped his nation qualify for the Euro 2024 final, another strong showing in the biggest game of the glitz and glamorous tournament will only strengthen the interested clubs’ intent to land him.
Erik ten Hag—having signed a contract extension until 2026 at Old Trafford, is still waiting for his first summer signing under the management of new co-owners INEOS. He is desperate to bolster various areas of his squad after enduring a torrid 2023/24 campaign that saw Manchester United finish eighth in the Premier League table.
The lack of balance in midfield was one of the Red Devils’ biggest problems last season. Add that to the relentless injury issues, Ten Hag found it difficult to settle on a midfield three. Casemiro, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo spent months on the sidelines due to injury problems, leaving the Dutch tactician with limited resources in the middle of the park.
Having spent big sums to sign Mount from Chelsea last summer, Ten Hag and Co. must look to get the best out of the England international after an injury-ravaged debut season at Old Trafford. And with Bruno Fernandes indispensable to the team and the Red Devils closing in on Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee, Ten Hag doesn’t need another playmaker in his squad.
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For all the talent Olmo possesses and the experience he has of playing at the highest level, the Spaniard, however, doesn’t exactly fit into the Man United squad. He is comfortable in multiple roles and positions, which would help Ten Hag’s side to be more dynamic and creative in possession, but Olmo’s inclusion has the chance of disturbing the balance of the team, especially without the ball.
Having said that, Man United must avoid triggering the 26-year-old’s release clause at Leipzig. It would make sense for our club to invest the £55million on a young, energetic and mobile defensive midfielder—someone in the ilk of Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte.
