Manchester City have reportedly made an opening bid to sign in-demand RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo, amid significant interest from La Liga giants Barcelona.
The 26-year-old emerged as a standout performer in the recent European Championship, featuring in six of Spain's seven matches, as Luis de la Fuente's team secured a historic fourth title.
The RB Leipzig midfielder has garnered attention from top European clubs, including the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, all of whom are still in the race for his signature.
After guiding the Sky Blues to a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title in May, Pep Guardiola is now focused on bolstering his squad for the new season.
So far this summer, the Citizens have made just one addition to their team, acquiring 20-year-old winger Savinho from Troyes in a deal worth £30.8m.
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Man City to rival Barcelona for Olmo's signature
Following Euro 2024, Barcelona have been working on negotiations to sign Olmo and his Spain teammate Nico Williams, but are yet to complete any deals as they are still trying to agree on suitable repayment structures.
Olmo had a £51m release clause built into his contract at the start of the current transfer window, but it expired last week, and the Bundesliga outfit are believed to be looking for a fee in the same region to part ways with the Spaniard.
Sky Sports report that Barcelona made a bid worth around £50m but Leipzig rejected the offer as the Catalans were looking to pay in the region of £30m upfront and the rest as add-ons.
Blaugrana are walking a tightrope with FFP rules and will almost certainly have to sell players to raise the full fee required to sign the Spain international.
However, while an exact amount has yet to be disclosed, Foot Mercato claim that Man City are now attempting to hijack the La Liga giants for Olmo's signature by making a formal offer for the 26-year-old.
Guardiola is believed to be evaluating players who could enhance his team as they gear up for their league title defence and Olmo is viewed as an ideal fit for the Citizens' style of play.
It is understood, though, that the player is open to a move away from Leipzig this summer but has expressed a preference to return to Camp Nou.
Olmo still has three years left on his current contract with the Bundesliga outfit, meaning they are under no pressure to sell him this summer.
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Olmo considered as long-term replacement for De Bruyne?
City have a good relationship with Leipzig, having signed Josko Gvardiol from the Bundesliga club in a deal worth around £85m last summer.
Olmo may also be viewed as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne, both of whom have been linked with moves away from the Etihad this summer.
Alvarez has had to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland since arriving in Manchester from River Plate and is said to be looking for a move in search of regular laying time.
De Bruyne, on the other hand, turned 33 in June and is on the radar of clubs in Saudi Arabia with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2025.
Ederson and Jack Grealish are also among those rumoured to be potentially leaving the Premier League champions this summer.
Devesh Jaganath
