Dani Olmo, the 26-year-old player who recently joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig for a hefty sum, is facing registration issues that have caused him to miss important matches. Despite the club’s efforts to have him registered in time for their La Liga clash against Athletic Club, they were unable to meet the deadline due to their ongoing financial troubles. Barcelona’s financial woes have prevented them from inscribing Olmo with the league, leaving him out of the opening-day win against Valencia and now the upcoming match against Athletic Club.
Barcelona, like all Spanish clubs, have a league-imposed spending limit that they must adhere to. This cap is determined by a team’s revenue minus non-sporting outgoings and debt repayments. Barcelona currently find themselves exceeding this spending limit, necessitating that they reduce their wage bill and/or increase revenue in order to register new players like Olmo. This financial constraint has not only affected Olmo’s ability to play but has also forced Barcelona to consider various outgoings in order to balance the books.
In an attempt to ensure that Dani Olmo can be available for coach Hansi Flick in upcoming matches, Barcelona has been working on a series of outgoings. Players like Clément Lenglet, Mikayil Faye, and Vitor Roque are all on the verge of leaving the club. Lenglet is set to sign a contract extension until 2027 before going on a season-long loan to Atlético Madrid. Faye is expected to join French side Rennes in a deal worth an initial €14m, while Roque will go on loan to Real Betis after failing to secure a place in the first team.
Player Availability and Injuries
While some players are on their way out, others like midfielder Fermín López are making a return to the squad. Lopez, who had taken some time off following successful performances for Spain in major tournaments, is back in the mix for Barcelona. However, key players like Andreas Christensen are currently sidelined with injuries, with Flick acknowledging that the player needs time to fully recover. Additionally, long-term absentees such as Ronald Araújo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati are unavailable for selection, further complicating Barcelona’s squad choices.
Through a combination of financial constraints, registration issues, and player availability challenges, Barcelona finds themselves in a tough spot as they navigate through the La Liga season. The struggles faced by Dani Olmo and the club highlight the complexities of managing a top-tier football team while dealing with external pressures. As they work towards resolving these issues, Barcelona will need to find innovative solutions to ensure they remain competitive in the league.