Barcelona stalled in Dani Olmo pursuit by Leipzig transfer fee demand
- Planet Sport writer
- 30 July 2024
RB Leipzig have held a firm stance in their negotiations with FC Barcelona over the transfer of Dani Olmo by demanding a fixed â¬60 million transfer fee.
The German club's resolve comes after rejecting Barcelona's initial offer of €40 million plus €20 million in variables, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Leipzig's valuation of Olmo is rooted in their belief that the player's termination clause justified the €60 million price tag.
The club have argued that this fee was reasonable, particularly in light of Olmo's impressive performances in the recent European Championship.
Leipzig have pointed to other high-profile transfers to support their stance. For example, 19-year-old midfielder Joao Neves was set to join PSG for €70 million, which Leipzig used as a benchmark to justify their valuation of Olmo.
"We believe our price is more than fair given the market," a club source mentioned.
The German club have also expressed confusion over Barcelona's transfer strategies. They noted that Barcelona was willing to pay €62 million for 21-year-old Nico Williams but only offered €40 million for Olmo.
Leipzig see this as a significant discrepancy and have refused to lower their asking price. They expect another offer from Barcelona, potentially €45 million plus €15 million in add-ons, which might include easily achievable variables.
"Barcelona's inconsistency in valuations is puzzling to us," a Leipzig insider stated.
Meanwhile, Olmo himself is keen on progressing his career and is open to exploring multiple options beyond Barcelona. Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and potentially Manchester City were all on his radar, especially if Kevin De Bruyne left City.
Olmo had made it clear both privately and publicly that he wanted to join a club that truly appreciated his abilities. "I want to play for a team where I feel valued," Olmo said.
RB Leipzig's firm stance on the transfer fee underscores the club's confidence in Olmo's talents and their commitment to securing a fair price. As negotiations continue, the focus is on whether Barcelona will meet Leipzig's demands or if other suitors will step in with competitive offers.
