Manchester City set sights on Barcelona star as potential midfield successor for this player

Manchester City have shifted their transfer focus to Barcelona’s Dani Olmo as they seek a long-term successor for departing midfield icon Kevin De Bruyne, according to reports. The Premier League champions, poised to lose De Bruyne this summer, are scrambling to fill the creative void left by the Belgian maestro.

While Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz was initially their top target, growing links between the German and Bayern Munich have forced City to explore alternatives—with Olmo now emerging as their prime candidate.

Manchester City’s pivot in midfield reinvention

Pep Guardiola’s side had earmarked Wirtz as the ideal heir to De Bruyne’s throne, but the 21-year-old’s apparent preference for Bayern Munich has prompted a strategic rethink. According to Relevo, Olmo has surged to the top of City’s shortlist, surpassing other contenders like Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson. Guardiola, who admires Dani Olmo’s technical versatility and La Liga pedigree, views the Spaniard as the perfect fit for his system.

Why Olmo?

Proven Pedigree: The 27-year-old has excelled at RB Leipzig and Barcelona, blending creativity, work rate, and big-game experience.

Pep Guardiola’s Vision: His ability to operate as a No. 10 or winger aligns with Manchester City’s fluid attacking style.

Contract Leverage: Barcelona’s financial woes and ongoing registration issues with Olmo’s contract could force them to consider offers.

Barcelona’s stance

Despite paying €47 million to sign Olmo from Leipzig in 2023, the Catalan giants face pressure to balance their books. Though the midfielder’s contract runs until 2030, La Liga’s strict financial rules have left his registration in limbo. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly backed Dani Olmo, but City’s financial muscle could test their resolve.

Manchester City’s ability to table a lucrative bid gives them an edge. Barcelona, still grappling with €1 billion debt, may struggle to reject a substantial offer—especially if La Liga upholds its stance on the club’s spending limits. However, manager Hansi Flick considers Olmo integral to his plans, complicating any potential deal.

Alternatives on the radar

Should negotiations stall, City have contingency targets:

Morgan Gibbs-White: The Forest playmaker’s Premier League experience appeals to Guardiola.

Hugo Larsson: Frankfurt’s rising star offers youth and dynamism but lacks Olmo’s elite pedigree.

All eyes are on Barcelona’s boardroom. Will financial pragmatism override sporting ambition? For Pep Guardiola, Dani Olmo represents more than a replacement—he’s a statement signing capable of maintaining Manchester City’s dominance. As the summer window approaches, this transfer saga could define the club’s post-De Bruyne era.