Barcelona transfer news: 'Verbal offer' made for £51m Spain international

Barcelona have made a verbal offer for in-demand RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo, according to a report.

The 26-year-old is currently away on international duty with Spain at Euro 2024 and scored as a substitute in La Roja's 4-1 victory over Georgia in the last 16.

At club level, Olmo has established himself as a star player for Leipzig, scoring 29 goals and registering 34 assists in 148 appearances across all competitions since joining the club in 2020.

The versatile attacker, who can operate in a variety of midfield and forward positions, was hampered with injuries last season, but he still managed to contribute with eight goals and five assists in 25 outings as Leipzig finished fourth in the Bundesliga to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Olmo extended his Leipzig contract in June last year, keeping him tied to the German club until the summer of 2027, but that has not stopped the rumour mill from linking the highly-rated attacker with a big-money exit.

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Barca step up Olmo pursuit

Last month, Olmo admitted that he is 'motivated' by rumours linking him with a number of top European clubs and refused to rule out a summer exit from Leipzig.

A switch to the Premier League has been mooted, with reigning champions Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all said to hold an interest in the attacker.

La Liga giants Barcelona are also believed to be to keen to recruit Olmo, who spent seven years in the Catalan club's youth academy between 2007 and 2014 before leaving for Dinamo Zagreb.

According to 90min, Barca are working to strike a deal for their former academy talent and have made a verbal offer for the Leipzig man.

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Barca keen to negotiate different payment structure for Olmo

The report adds that Barcelona cannot afford to trigger Olmo's €60m (£51m) release clause and pay that full amount up-front, but the Catalan giants are hopeful that they negotiate a deal worth a similar amount with favourable payment terms.

Barca's sporting director Deco is said to be a 'huge fan' of Olmo and held advanced conversations with both the player and Leipzig over a potential switch to Camp Nou.

It is thought that Leipzig would prefer to receive Olmo's release clause in full, but they have not yet ruled out agreeing a different payment structure of Barca's liking, as they do not want to block the attacker from leaving the club, providing that the deal suits both parties.

Barcelona's well-documented financial issues remain, and they must sell players this summer if they wish to balance their books and generate funds for new signings.

La Liga's new 1:1 spending cap rule only allows Barca to spend €1 for every €1 that they recoup this summer.