Report: Barcelona planning to complete signing of 23-year-old former academy ace in 2022

As the dust settles on what has been the craziest transfer window of all time, Barcelona seem to be already planning for the next one which opens in January.

The Catalans had an eventful transfer window, from losing their best player in Lionel Messi to letting one of their most expensive signings, Antoine Griezmann, to a direct rival while signing Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay.

However, one deal that they could not get over the line despite their best efforts was involving RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo. The former La Masia prospect was the subject of a transfer deadline day move by the Catalan giants, but a deal failed to materialise.

A report from Mundo Deportivo, however, states that Barcelona have not given up on this particular deal and will work to get it over the line in 2022, preferably during the January transfer window itself.

The report claims that the Blaugrana had come up with an offer of €58million plus bonuses for the 23-year-old Olmo. However, RB Leipzig held firm on their demand of €75million for their prized asset, leading to the move falling through.

Given that negotiations began on the deadline day, Leipzig’s stand is understandable as they had no time to get a replacement for one of their most important players. However, with the window now closed, Barcelona are confident that they can negotiate more calmly with the Bundesliga outfit and arrive at an agreement to sign the Spaniard.

It is further claimed that Olmo, who is contracted with the German giants till the summer of 2024, has already given his OK to a return to Barca. In fact, the former Dinamo Zagreb ace had also agreed a five-year contract with the Catalans, with only a few details remaining to be sorted out, which will be taken care of once Leipzig give the go-ahead.

Barcelona will resume talks with the German outfit in the coming weeks and are hopeful of striking a deal in time for the January transfer window of 2022.