Former La Masia prodigy ‘closer than ever’ to Barcelona return – report

In a major update, MARCA reports that former La Masia prodigy Dani Olmo is ‘closer than ever’ to returning to Barcelona this summer even though negotiations with RB Leipzig are still ongoing.

The 26-year-old is the next priority target for Barça after Athletic Club ace Nico Williams and work is being done to put everything in place for his signing.

Barcelona confident despite tricky negotiations

Indeed, the report from MARCA states that Barcelona assume that Olmo’s return will not be easy, despite the player’s desire to rejoin the Catalan giants.

The economic positions between RB Leipzig and Barça still do not agree, although, at the Catalan club, they are confident, from the utmost prudence, in a favourable outcome.

The Blaugrana are hoping to finally close a deal that they have been pursuing for several seasons without success. They are, in this sense, more optimistic than ever.

Dani Olmo wants to join Barcelona. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Olmo is not due to join Leipzig for training until the end of next week. Barcelona are not sure if they will be able to close the deal before that although that is, of course, the intention. But they do not dare to set a date because the negotiations are not being easy.

Even though his €60 million release clause expired on July 20, RB Leipzig want clubs to pay a similar fee to sign him and Barcelona are figuring out ways to match that figure after the initial €40 million + €20 million (variables) bid was rejected.

Despite the economic difficulties and discrepancies that still exist, Barça believe they will reach an agreement with Leipzig, whose executives are already looking for a replacement for Olmo.

The 26-year-old, for his part, is eager to return and his rejecting all other offers in favour of a move to Barcelona, with personal terms also reportedly agreed.

After showing an interest in re-signing Olmo in the past few summers, Barcelona have once again set the machinery in motion to bring him back and are determined that this time it will be the definitive one.