Barcelona’s efforts to retain Dani Olmo have hit a major roadblock after a Spanish court rejected the club’s request to extend his registration beyond December 31, 2024. This development places Olmo, a key figure for the Catalan giants, on the verge of leaving for free.
The Blaugrana, struggling with financial difficulties, initially registered Olmo until the end of the year using 80% of injured defender Andreas Christensen’s salary under La Liga’s long-term injury replacement exception. However, La Liga denied their bid to extend his registration to June 30, 2025, prompting Barcelona to take the matter to court.
In its ruling, the Barcelona commercial court stated that the club’s request did not meet the necessary criteria. The court emphasized that the exception was designed to cover immediate team needs due to long-term injuries, not to bypass salary caps.
“The player’s contract ends on December 31, 2024, and cannot be extended,” the court declared, effectively ruling out Olmo’s availability for the remainder of the season.
Reports from Spanish media reveal that Olmo’s contract includes a clause allowing him to leave for free if he cannot be registered. With his deal initially running until 2030, this rejection could trigger the clause, leaving Barcelona at risk of losing one of their top players without compensation.
The club still has options, including appealing the decision or exploring alternative revenue-generating measures, such as selling VIP packages for the revamped Camp Nou or seeking personal guarantees from board members. However, time is running out, and the situation remains precarious.
Olmo’s potential exit would be a significant setback for Barcelona, who have slipped to third in La Liga’s title race, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and two adrift of Real Madrid, having played one game more. As the Blaugrana fight for their place in the title race, the looming loss of Olmo adds to the growing pressure on the club.
