Liverpool seeks to beat Arsenal with the signing of Dani Olmo as a free agent
Liverpool Manager Arne Slot has worked with just four midfielders so far this campaign, as Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have dominated minutes in the engine room. Harvey Elliott has occasional minutes but hasn't started many games, while Wataru Endo is clearly not a key player in the manager's plans.
The Reds have been heavily linked with Martín Zubimendi and, although the Spaniard's signing remains in play, they have recently been linked with his compatriot, Dani Olmo. According to Sky Sport GermanyLiverpool are considering a free transfer for the 26-year-old amid concerns about his continuity in Barcelona beyond January.
Olmo arrived in Catalonia from RB Leipzig last summer and played regularly for Barça in the first half of the campaign, although his precarious financial situation has prevented him from registering him for the moment. A clause in the player's contract allows him to leave as a free agent if the La Liga giants fail to register him this month.
Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the former Dinamo Zagreb star with Mikel ArtetaThe side of having been described as “long-time admirers” of the Euro 2024 champion. Meanwhile, Liverpool are looking to take proactive measures to close a deal as soon as possible given that city of manchester Interest has also been credited to them.
Liverpool move very likely
Arsenal have a fantastic attacking midfielder in Martin Odegaard, so Dani Olmo's playing time in his preferred position would be limited. That would also be the case on the wings, where Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are Mikel Arteta's trusted men on the left, while Bukayo SakaRussia's prominence on the right flank cannot be underestimated either.
Manchester City could benefit from his addition, but it remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola can include Olmo in his plans. He already has Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva playing on the right, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku on the left, and is not inherently inclined to use a number 10 in his midfield setup.
At Liverpool, however, Olmo could enter the team directly. He is a better player in many ways than Dominik Szoboszlai and could even prove a useful left winger amid Luis Diaz's struggles for fitness if Cody Gakpo can be used in a more central role. The 26-year-old's goals will also be crucial for the Reds, given their over-reliance on Mohamed Salah.
On a free transfer, Olmo would be an excellent acquisition, especially considering his £50m valuation on Transfermarkt. For the moment, however, he is committed to Barcelona and is hopeful that things will go in the right direction in his home country.
That said, it will be interesting to see how much longer he and his entourage can remain patient. If he decides to move away from Barça, Liverpool will be ready to attack in no time.
