According to Don Balon, Real Madrid are set to face fresh competition from Manchester City in the pursuit of Dani Olmo. The Spanish giants are one of many clubs interested in the services of the Dinamo Zagreb youngster, including Manchester United and Barcelona. And it seems now Manchester City have also joined the race to sign Olmo, who has starred for Spain in the recently concluded European U-21 championships.
Dani Olmo’s rapid rise to prominence
A former member of the Barcelona youth academy, Dani Olmo made a move to Dinamo Zagreb way back in 2014. And the youngster only needed half a season to get promoted to the senior side of Dinamo, although it wasn’t until the 2016/17 campaign when he managed to make his breakthrough into professional football.
Olmo made 14 league appearances in that corresponding campaign and has become a first-team regular for the Croatian outfit since. The 21-year-old has made over 100 competitive appearances for the Modri, during which he has been involved in 47 goals.
However, what has really made Olmo such a sought-after footballer in Europe is his exploits in the European Under-21 champions. He scored three goals in four matches, helping La Roja win the coveted tournament by scoring the winner in the final against Germany.
What can Olmo bring to the table?
An attacking midfielder by trade, Olmo is a versatile attacker, who can operate on all areas of the final third except the centre-forward slot. He has mostly featured as a right-winger for the Spain U-21 side this summer, but he predominantly operates in the number ten slot for Zagreb.
The 21-year-old is blessed with electric pace, which, coupled with his dribbling prowess, makes him a scourge for the opposition defenders. Despite being labelled as an attacking midfielder, Olmo does not necessarily like to pick exquisite passes in behind the backline. But, his ability to link up with teammates and carry the ball across half spaces is what makes him such a talented and effective attacker.
Should Real Madrid go all out for this youngster?
Real Madrid have already signed a host of players this summer, especially Eden Hazard and Rodrygo, both of whom will strengthen the wide-attacking department. But, at the same time, we could expect a few players to leave the club as well. Players like Isco, Dani Ceballos and Gareth Bale have already been linked with a move away from Bernabeu.
Olmo, in that regard, could be a smart investment, in case all of those three players depart the club this summer. As discussed earlier, the Spaniard has the quality to enhance his side’s creative and attacking prowess, and if nurtured well, he can be groomed into a world-class attacking midfielder – making him an ideal signing for Los Blancos.
