Manchester City are stepping up their interest in RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Dani Olmo, according to Bild.
The German tabloid claims that the Premier League champions’ pursuit of the Spanish international is “getting concrete” with the club fearing that they will lose Kevin De Bruyne this summer.
A move to Saudi Arabia is looking more and more likely for the Belgian international, who has less than a year left on his contract at the Etihad.
Bild report that Olmo has been identified as a “possible replacement” with manager Pep Guardiola said to be a big fan of the 26-year-old.
City already know how much it will cost to sign the Spaniard
Olmo has a buyout fee in his contract which means that any team can sign him for €60m (£51m) this summer. However, the clause will expire soon.
It is believed that City’s chance to sign the midfielder for that price only lasts until July 15th, ten days’ time, although there is a feeling that Leipzig will still be open to negotiating his sale after that date.
Olmo has been linked with other Premier League clubs
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have also been mentioned as potential suitors for the playmaker but City’s main rival are said to be Barcelona.
It has been reported in the Catalan press that Olmo wants to return to the Camp Nou, where he came through the academy.
However, Barca are not in a position to pay the player’s release clause, while City are. It means that Olmo’s transfer to Manchester is a very real possibility.
Whether he would be a capable replacement for De Bruyne, though, it is up for debate. He has had a solid career with Leipzig in Germany but you wouldn’t regard him as a world-class performer.
