Barcelona are racing against time to free up space within their LaLiga salary cap to ensure Dani Olmo remains signed up until 2025. according to reports.
Olmo, who joined from RB Leipzig in the summer, initially missed the first two games of the season due to delays in his LaLiga registration caused by Barcelona’s ongoing financial difficulties.
His registration was eventually processed on a provisional basis, taking advantage of the injury waiver granted following the long-term absence of Andreas Christensen.
If Barcelona fail to reduce their spending below LaLiga’s €426 million salary cap by January, Olmo will not be eligible to play in the second half of the season.
Striker Pau Victor, another summer signing from Girona, is in a similar predicament.
The urgency comes with a reported clause in Olmo’s contract which could allow him to leave the club for free if he cannot sign up by the start of 2025.
🚨 Dani Olmo may not be able to play for Barcelona in La Liga for the rest of the season. 😯🔵🔴
The Spanish midfielder is provisionally registered and can play in the league until December 31.
The Spanish club still have 3 weeks to declare him FINALLY, but if… pic.twitter.com/mdZna6fPEf
— Broadcast News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 10, 2024
This type of clause has become more common in Barcelona contracts in recent years, first coming to light when Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie signed with the club in 2022.
Despite currently being over the cap, Barcelona can reinvest a percentage of any savings or revenue they generate in player registrations.
Barcelona’s recent announcement of a new deal with kit supplier Nike is expected to provide a financial boost.
However, the deal is subject to approval by club members, with a vote scheduled for December 21.
As well as the Nike partnership, reports say Barcelona are negotiating a 20-year deal to sell the rights to Spotify’s VIP boxes at the under-renovation Camp Nou.
If other options fail, sources suggest the club may consider a last resort: a personal financial guarantee from one of Barcelona’s board members to secure the signings of Olmo and Victor.
For now, the club is focused on addressing their financial hurdles to avoid losing a key player like Olmo mid-season, as well as retaining the talent they have worked hard to bring to the team.
