Dani Olmo, Barcelona’s marquee signing of the summer, remains sidelined due to unresolved registration issues with La Liga.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder, who rejoined his childhood club in a €60 million deal from RB Leipzig, has been unable to make his debut. This predicament highlights Barcelona’s ongoing financial difficulties.
The club faces a €100 million shortfall from last season, complicating their ability to register new players. Despite Olmo being presented as a Barcelona player on August 12 during the Joan Gamper Trophy friendly, he was not eligible for their league opener against Valencia or their upcoming match against Athletic Club on August 24.
Efforts to address the financial shortfall have included player sales and free transfers. Notably, Ilkay Gundogan’s recent departure was expected to alleviate some of the financial pressure.
However, Barcelona still hasn’t managed to complete Olmo’s registration. The club has been exploring various revenue-generating strategies, including a new partnership related to the “Web3, NFTs, and metaverse,” but these measures have not yet aligned with La Liga’s financial regulations.
Olmo, who was aware of Barcelona’s financial struggles before signing, has expressed frustration over the delay, particularly given that he was not deemed fit to play last week. Barcelona’s previous seasons have seen similar registration delays, often resolved at the last minute. If Olmo’s registration is not finalised by the transfer window’s close on August 30, he will have to wait until January’s winter transfer window to play.
As Barcelona navigates these financial and regulatory challenges, there is hope that a resolution will be found soon, allowing Olmo to finally step onto the pitch for his new club.
