Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Catalans eyeing Liverpool ace, Dani Olmo cost revealed, and more - October 20, 2024
Barcelona welcome Sevilla to the Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday, October 20, in their next match in LaLiga. Hansi Flick's team have won eight of their nine games in the league this season.
Meanwhile, the Spanish giants have entered the race to sign a Liverpool full-back. Elsewhere, Catalans president Joan Laporta has outlined how much the club paid to sign Dani Olmo this summer.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from October 20, 2024.
Barcelona eyeing Trent Alexander-Arnold
Barcelona have set their sights on Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to talkSPORT. The English right-back's future has been the talk of the town of late, with his Liverpool contract set to expire at the end of this season.
Real Madrid are already hot on the player's heels, as they lay down succession plans for Dani Carvajal. However, the Catalans have now entered the fray.
Hansi Flick has deployed Jules Kounde at right-back this season, but the Frenchman prefers to operate as a center back. The German manager has requested the club to sign a specialist right-back to address the issue and Alexander-Arnold has emerged as an option.
The 26-year-old's contract situation makes him an enticing option for Barcelona. Bayern Munich also have their eyes on Alexander-Arnold and could be in the mix for his services in 2025.
However, Los Blancos remain the favorites to lap up the player next year. Liverpool are desperate to tie him down to an extension and haven't given up hopes of his stay yet.
Dani Olmo cost revealed by Joan Laporta
Joan Laporta has revealed that the club paid €47m for Dani Olmo this summer. The Spanish midfielder returned to Camp Nou this summer from RB Leipzig.
Olmo rose through the ranks with the Catalans but left in 2014 before he could break into the starting XI. He spent time with Dinamo Zagreb before joining Leipzig in 2020. The player's efforts for the Bundesliga club convinced the LaLiga giants to bring him back this year.
Speaking at FC Barcelona Ordinary General Assembly, Laporta praised the work done by sporting director Deco over the summer.
"We have had containment in investments. Our sports director has done very well and the only investments have been Olmo and Pau Víctor. We were talking about €50 million for a significant investment and Olmo cost us €47 million,” Laporta said.
Olmo has enjoyed a stellar start to life with the Catalans, registering three goals from three games before picking up a muscle injury.
Wojciech Szczesny's brother explains Camp Nou move
Wojciech Szczesny's brother has outlined why the player decided to move to Camp Nou. The Polish goalkeeper hung up his boots in August after terminating his contract with Juventus.
However, he came out of retirement this month to help the Catalans address Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury. The German custodian picked up a knee injury last month that required surgery and is unlikely to play again this season.
Speaking to TVP Sport, Szczesny's brother stated that Robert Lewandowski convinced the player to join the LaLiga giants.
"I know he actually had more options before FC Barcelona approached him. Due to the stature of a club like FC Barcelona, such an offer had to be considered. The club’s magic and the feeling that he could relive a special moment by returning to football was key,” said Szczesny's brother.
He continued:
"The choice was simple for him because his friend Robert Lewandowski has been playing in Barcelona for some time."
Szczesny appeared 252 times for Juventus, registering 103 clean sheets.