Arsenal on red alert as Dani Olmo nears Barcelona transfer after La Liga release statement

Barcelona are running out of options to keep hold of midfielder Dani Olmo after losing another appeal to register him for the remainder of the season

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo (Image: Manuel Queimadelos/Quality

La Liga has welcomed the decision to block Barcelona from registering midfielder Dani Olmo for the remainder of the season.

The Spanish football authority handed Olmo a temporary registration until the end of the year after Barcelona struggled to adhere to the league’s financial rules. This registration could have been extended until the end of the season should Barca have shown steps to improve their financial position.

However, La Liga feel that Barca have not done enough to improve their finances and, as such, are blocking them from registering Olmo. The Catalan club appealed the decision in the Barcelona Commercial Court and this has now been thrown out.

Reflecting on the ruling, La Liga said in a statement: “La Liga has today learned of the ruling … rejecting the request for the provisional registration of Dani Olmo until 30 June, 2025, on the grounds that none of the necessary conditions for the adoption of an interim measure have been met. The ruling also stresses that: ‘The purpose of allowing additional spending is so that a long-term injury does not weaken the team’s competitiveness, not to use a long-term injury to allow the registration of players whose salaries exceed the limit, which is what FC Barcelona is attempting.'”

Barca’s last hope is to get their appeal approved at a magistrates court on Monday but that is just a day before the registration deadline for the remainder of the season. If they do not get a positive outcome next week, Olmo will be free to leave Barcelona on a free contract.

Should that be the case, Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Spaniard who shone at this summer’s Euros. His agent Andy Bara was in the UK on Boxing Day for what he called a ‘holiday’ in Manchester.

It is understood he watched Manchester City’s draw with Everton in the Premier League. Olmo has been linked with a move to City and Manchester United.