Spanish contenders splash out on Olmo and Alvarez
Two Spanish giants are making major moves in the transfer market as they attempt to close the gap on Champions League and La Liga top dogs Real Madrid.
Barcelona have brought back playmaker Dani Olmo, a star in Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign, while Atletico Madrid are closing in on Argentina forward Julian Alvarez.
Olmo is heading back to Barcelona a decade after leaving the Catalan club. He is set to sign a six-year contract after Barcelona, who say they have reached a transfer agreement with Leipzig.
The deal is worth a reported $100 million with a buyout clause being set at $830 million.
Olmo joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2007 from neighbours Espanyol. He left seven years later to further his career in Croatia by signing for Dinamo Zagreb. He has played for Leipzig in the Bundesliga since 2020.
Meanwhile, Atletico are splashing $157 million on Alvarez, the Manchester City forward who is first-choice striker for his country but not his club.
He helped City win the Premier League in both of the seasons he was in England, as well as the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Alvarez, however, was behind Erling Haaland in the pecking order of strikers and was often a substitute.
He desires first-team football and City manager Pep Guardiola said: “If you are not happy, why should you be here? When you believe happiness is around another corner, you have to go there to take a look.”
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