Dani Olmo Transfer News: Why fine Euro 2024 form could seal high-profile move

 

Such is the depth of Spain's squad that Tuesday's win over France marked just Dani Olmo's second start of Euro 2024. La Roja booked their place in Sunday's showpiece with a 2-1 victory over Les Bleus, setting up a meeting with England after they got the better of the Netherlands on Wednesday, with Olmo on hand to bag his third league goal of the competition. 

 

Olmo is now one of six players on three goals in Germany, this despite three of his five appearances coming off the bench. Even so, the 26-year-old is the best rated player (7.95) at Euro 2024 and his performances under Luis de la Fuente haven't gone unnoticed. An injury hit campaign saw the midfielder make just 17 league starts for RB Leipzig last season, yet the Spaniard managed four goals and five assists. 

 

Euro 2024, though, has really shot Olmo into the spotlight. Deputising for the injured Pedri, it was Olmo who sent Spain into the final of Euro 2024, expertly controlling William Saliba's header, excellently getting the better of Aurelien Tchouameni before firing past Mike Maignan, with a little help from Jules Kounde of course. 

 

 

Finding those pockets of space in the final third is what makes Olmo such an effective player. Routinely drifting across the attack, he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time to really cause damage, as was evidenced against France. It's also one of many reasons Olmo has his Premier League suitors as we look towards Sunday's Euro 2024 final. 

 

Reports suggest that Olmo has a £50m release clause in his current RB Leipzig contract, a clause that expires that day after the Euro 2024 final, though this is reported to have been extended until later next week after Spain reached the Euros final. As such, potential suitors may have hoped Spain would be knocked out of the competition sooner rather than later in order to negotiate a deal for Olmo but even so; they'll be ready to pounce before the dust has even settled following Sunday's meeting with England. 

 

Much has been made of the dribbling ability of wing-wizards Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal in Spain's pursuit of silverware yet the pair are being trumped by Olmo. Indeed, he is averaging more successful dribbles per 90 (2.9) than any other Spain player at Euro 2024. Featuring predominantly through the middle, Olmo's penetrative runs from midfield take the pressure off Williams and Yamal on the left and right flank, respectively, while a penchant for drifting wide makes him difficult to track. 

 

 

With a selfless striker in the form of Alvaro Morata leading the charge, Olmo is able to maximise the space the Spain skipper vacates and for a potential suitor that has a frontman who works hard off the ball to drag markers out of position, he would be ideal. That being said, teams interested in Olmo may well have the Spain star lead the charge. 

 

While a bulk of his league starts last season came behind a striker, Olmo does the ability the operate as a false nine, dropping deep for possession to allow the wingers to drift infield and hurt opponents from the flanks. Unsurprisingly, Arsenal have been credited with an interest in Olmo, while Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with a move for the RB Leipzig star. There have also been rumours that Barcelona and Bayern Munich are monitoring the Spain international, and the level of interest in his services speaks volumes. 

 

The watching world will tune in for Sunday's Euro 2024 final. Olmo is likely to be the centre of attention for some in Berlin with interested parties set to run one final rule over the versatile attacker before considering a move. Expect some of Europe's heavyhitters to keep a keen eye on Olmo as they weigh up their summer plans.

Dani Olmo Transfer News: Why fine Euro 2024 form could seal high-profile move