RB Leipzig eye Chelsea and Liverpool target as Dani Olmo replacement – Reports
RB Leipzig are preparing themselves for a future without Dani Olmo, as they reportedly eye Liverpool and Chelsea target Rayan Cherki as a replacement for the Spaniard.
Dani Olmo, who was an integral part of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, has returned to his childhood club Barcelona, as the Catalan club has reportedly reached a €62 million (including add-ons) agreement to sign the 26-year-old from RB Leipzig (via Fabrizio Romano).
The La Masia graduate has been a revelation for the German club since he joined in 2020 from Dinamo Zagreb, scoring 29 goals and 34 assists in 148 appearances. As Olmo is on the verge of leaving Leipzig, the club has identified Olympique Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki as the player who could fill his big shoes. While Cherki is keen to make a move to the Red Bull Arena, a transfer deal is yet to be finalized.
As per Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Rayan Cherki is one of the top contenders for RB Leipzig to replace Dani Olmo. There is no verbal agreement between RB and Cherki yet, but conversations are ongoing. The deal with Dortmund is currently off. Lyon's asking price is reportedly €15 million plus €2 million in add-ons. More expensive possibilities for Leipzig are Johan Bakayoko (PSV) and Francisco Conceição (Porto).
However, Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested in the French midfielder as they look to bolster their midfield ahead of the upcoming season.
RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo passes Barcelona’s medical
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Dani Olmo has completed his medical tests as a new Barcelona player. His transfer to Barcelona will now be made official in a few hours.
The Spanish giants welcomed their La Masia graduate back into the squad with a fee of €55 million upfront and €7 million in potential add-ons, taking the deal to €62 million. With the medicals completed, Dani Olmo is the second player that Barcelona has signed this summer after signing Pau Victor from Girona.
The contract will see Olmo stay at his childhood club until 2030, which will be his first stint in the senior team since leaving the club’s academy in 2014. Barcelona will hope that they can still lure Nico Williams, even though the player has made it known that he is staying at Athletic Club this season. They are also making attempts to resign Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City.