Barcelona may be on the verge of resolving one of the most perplexing and embarrassing situations of their current season with the arrival of a loan offer for Dani Olmo. The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined due to Barcelona‘s failure to re-register him for the 2024/2025 season, but a potential solution has emerged in the form of AC Milan, who are reportedly keen to secure Dani Olmo on a short-term loan deal.
The Crisis of Dani Olmo’s Registration
Barcelona’s financial difficulties have continued to affect their squad management, and Dani Olmo’s registration issue has quickly become one of the more prominent problems they face. Despite the significant investment Barcelona made to secure DanOlmo’s signature from RB Leipzig, the club has failed to properly register him with La Liga due to their strict salary budget and Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.
Initially, Barcelona had hoped to utilize a temporary loophole stemming from Andreas Christensen’s injury absence, which allowed them to register both Olmo and lesser-known Pau Victor until December 31, 2024. However, this arrangement expired at the turn of the year, and the club now finds itself in a situation where neither player can officially play for the team during the second half of the season.
The Legal Challenges
In an attempt to resolve the issue, Barcelona has sought legal avenues to force an exception to the rules. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) does not allow a player to be re-registered for the same club in a single season, a regulation that has made Olmo’s situation particularly tricky. Barcelona’s legal team has already taken the matter to local court in an effort to secure a temporary registration, but the case could take weeks, or even months, to reach a final decision.
In the meantime, Barcelona has also filed an appeal to Spain’s Higher Sports Council in hopes of obtaining a temporary registration for Olmo, which would allow him to feature for the team in the interim. Unfortunately, without a legal resolution, the club faces the grim reality of having two players unable to play for the remainder of the 2024/2025 season.
What Are the Options for Dani Olmo?
With the registration issue unresolved, Dani Olmo’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain. However, he has multiple avenues available to him. The January transfer window has opened, and while Olmo cannot play for Barcelona, he could move to another club for the remainder of the season.
There has been speculation that Olmo could opt to terminate his contract with Barcelona and seek a move elsewhere as a free agent. This would allow him to continue playing football without being tied to Barcelona’s ongoing registration issues. Reports suggest that Olmo is legally entitled to terminate his contract and still receive full wages for the remainder of the season. However, it has been widely reported that the former La Masia academy player has made it clear that he does not wish to take that step.
Olmo’s loyalty to the club appears to be unwavering, and he has shown no intention of leaving Barcelona, even under these frustrating circumstances. For a player who has come through the ranks at Barcelona’s famed academy, the situation is undoubtedly a source of personal frustration. But despite the temptation to move on from a situation that prevents him from playing, Olmo’s commitment to the club and its future seems to remain intact.
AC Milan’s Interest in a Loan Deal
Given that Olmo is unable to play for Barcelona, and his contract situation is still up in the air, AC Milan has emerged as a potential solution for both parties. According to reports from Corriere della Sera, the Italian giants are willing to offer Olmo a short-term loan deal until the summer of 2025. This loan would effectively allow Olmo to continue playing while Barcelona works to resolve their financial issues and potentially register him for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season under La Liga’s strict financial regulations.
How Would This Benefit All Parties?
The potential loan deal to AC Milan could prove to be a win-win situation for all involved. For AC Milan, the move would provide an immediate boost to their attack. Milan has struggled to keep pace with the top teams in Serie A during the 2024/2025 season, and their scoring issues have been a major point of concern. Despite having quality players like Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leão, the Rossoneri have only managed to score 19 fewer goals than their city rivals, Inter Milan, and have averaged just 1.5 goals per game in the league.
With Olmo, Milan would gain a player who can not only add goals but also bring creativity and vision to an otherwise underperforming attack. The Spanish international is known for his technical skills, playmaking ability, and versatility in attacking midfield, qualities that Milan could desperately use to improve their offensive output. Furthermore, Olmo’s arrival could help Milan push for a place in European competitions next season, something that now seems increasingly difficult given their current league form.
For Barcelona, a loan deal for Olmo would provide a temporary solution that allows the club to resolve their financial issues without having to lose the player permanently. If Olmo were to join Milan on loan until the summer, Barcelona could save on his wages in the short term, potentially freeing up some financial space to focus on the resolution of his registration issue with La Liga. By the time the summer arrives, Barcelona may be in a better position to secure his permanent registration, assuming they meet La Liga’s 1:1 spending rules, which were recently implemented.
The Current Status of AC Milan’s Interest
As of now, MARCA reports that there has been no official loan offer made to Dani Olmo from AC Milan, and Olmo himself is said to have no immediate intention of leaving Barcelona. Sources close to the player have suggested that Olmo still has faith in Joan Laporta and the club’s hierarchy to resolve the situation in the coming weeks. It is important to note that Olmo has not yet expressed any desire to move away from Barcelona, and his priority remains seeing the issue through with the club.
However, Milan’s interest remains significant, and the prospect of playing for a club like AC Milan, even on a short-term loan, could appeal to Olmo if the situation at Barcelona remains unresolved for much longer.
The Bigger Picture: Barcelona’s Financial Struggles
The saga surrounding Dani Olmo’s registration is a symptom of the larger financial difficulties that continue to plague Barcelona. In recent years, the club has been forced to make several financial concessions to comply with La Liga’s strict salary cap and FFP regulations. The “Financial Fair Play” rules in Spain have limited Barcelona’s ability to register new signings, causing major headaches when it comes to integrating new players into the squad.
The issue with Dani Olmo’s registration highlights just how precarious Barcelona’s financial position remains, despite their improved performances on the pitch under Xavi Hernandez. Until Barcelona can resolve their economic problems and get their salary cap in order, they may continue to face these kinds of registration issues with new signings.
Conclusion: Can Barcelona Solve the Problem?
As it stands, Dani Olmo’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain, but the club is not without options. AC Milan’s loan offer could provide a temporary solution for both the player and the club, allowing Olmo to continue playing while Barcelona works to resolve their financial and registration issues. While the player has not yet shown any intent to leave, Milan’s interest could change the course of his season, depending on how the situation develops.
Barcelona remains hopeful that they can eventually resolve Olmo’s registration issue and retain the player for the long term. However, the next few weeks could prove crucial, not just for Olmo’s future, but also for Barcelona’s ability to comply with La Liga’s regulations and build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
