Deco ready to include Barcelona defender as part of deal to sign Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig: Reports
Barcelona sporting director Deco is reportedly prepared to offer Mikayil Faye to RB Leipzig to finalise a deal to sign Spain international Dani Olmo ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Olmo, 26, has emerged as the talk of the town due to his fine performances at the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2024. He registered three goals and two assists in six tournament games, guiding Spain to glory.
As a result, Barcelona are thought to have been keeping tabs on Olmo for a while. They have already lodged an initial offer to sign the playmaker, but Leipzig are not interested in receiving the fee in installments.
According to Catalan outlet El Nacional, Barcelona offered a fixed €40 million plus €20 million in bonuses to Leipzig for Olmo's signature. However, the German club have rejected the Blaugrana's first offer as they are hoping to receive the fixed fee upfront this summer.
Now, Deco has reportedly identified Faye as sort of a makeweight in the proposed move involving Olmo and Leipzig. Both Faye and Olmo share the same agent and hence, a player-plus-cash move could prove to be a hassle-free operation for both clubs this summer.
Faye, who joined the Catalan outfit from Croatian team NK Kustosija past summer, is yet to make his senior debut for Barcelona. The 20-year-old centre-back scored four goals in 35 appearances across all competitions for Barca Atletic in the 2023-24 campaign.
Olmo, who allegedly has a big admirer in Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick, has bagged 29 goals and laid out 34 assists in 148 games for Leipzig.
Should Olmo secure a switch to the La Liga giants, he could prove to be an astute arrival for them. He would offer competition to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong and also emerge as an option out wide when needed.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick offers clear response when queried about 32-year-old
During a press conference, Hansi Flick was asked to shed light on Sergi Roberto's future at his club. He replied (h/t X/@FabrizioRomano):
"He's not a Barca player, as things stand."
Roberto, 32, is currently a free agent after the expiration of his Barcelona contract at the end of last month. He scored three goals and provided as many assists in 24 appearances across competitions last term.
Overall, Roberto helped his boyhood team lift 22 trophies. He helped them win the La Liga title seven times and the Copa del Rey six times.