• Barcelona signed Spain star Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig for £50m in the summer 
  • The Catalan giants are struggling to re-register Olmo, amid financial constraints 
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Barcelona star Raphinha has claimed the saga surrounding Dani Olmo’s re-registration could impact the club’s transfer business in the future. 

Olmo joined Hansi Flick’s side from RB Leipzig in the summer in a £50million deal but could only be registered on a temporary arrangement until the end of 2024 owing to LaLiga’s ongoing financial constraints on Barcelona.

The Catalan giants had been trying to re-register the attacking midfielder so that he can play for them beyond December 31, while they had also been looking to extend his team-mate Pau Victor’s registration.

However, LaLiga issued a statement on New Year’s Eve, confirming they had turned down Barcelona’s proposal to register Olmo and Victor, leaving the star’s future uncertain – with the Spanish midfielder able to leave on a free transfer if the situation isn’t resolved.

Last week, Barcelona outlined their plans to file a complaint to the Spanish government after both LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rejected their latest attempt to re-register Olmo, with the club then subsequently taking the matter to court.

Barcelona have repeatedly faced problems in regards to registering new signings over recent years amid their financial constraints, with a variety of ‘levers’ subsequently pulled by the club.

Raphinha has claimed the Dani Olmo saga could put players off joining Barcelona in the future

The Catalan giants are struggling to meet financial requirements that are needed to keep Olmo

The Catalan giants are struggling to meet financial requirements that are needed to keep Olmo

Raphinha said he believes players may ‘think twice’ before signing, amid Olmo’s experiences

And Raphinha, who initially faced registration issues after joining from Leeds for £55m in 2022, admitted that Barcelona’s problems could put off future recruits.  

‘I think so (it could have an impact on whether players sign in the future),’ the Brazilian said.

‘I can’t say the opposite because I would lie otherwise and I am not that kind of person.

‘If I was in another club seeing the situation Olmo and Pau are going through, I would probably think twice about coming here or to another club.

‘But when I signed for Barca I knew the situation the institution was going through, I saw a chance to play with this shirt and I waited until the very last moment. I don’t regret my decision.’

Mail Sport reported last month how Olmo is attracting interesting from several Premier League clubs given he is able to leave on a free if his registration is not sorted.

In fact, his agent Andy Bara spent time in Manchester over the festive period amid the ongoing uncertainty in regards to his client.

Nevertheless, Bara has claimed that the player’s intention is to ‘stay at Barcelona’ and that they are ‘not considering any other option’.

Barcelona are trying to re-register the attacking midfielder who joined for £50m in the summer

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick refused to be drawn on Raphinha’s comments this week

Club president Joan Laporta is under pressure to ensure Olmo doesn’t leave the club for free

Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Flick, who admitted last week that he was ‘unhappy’ with the situation, refused to be drawn on Raphinha’s comments ahead of the club’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.

I don’t know,’ he said. ‘The only thing I can say is that I trust the club. When I was in this situation (of signing for Barcelona), I knew the club, how great the club is and how great the team and the people around it are.

‘I love everything around Barcelona. I signed the contract and I would do that again, I have no doubts. It’s amazing to work with everyone here.’

Both Olmo and Victor were unable to play in Barcelona’s 4-0 win over lower league Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, which was the first match since their registrations had expired. 

The pair were still named in Barcelona’s squad for the Super Cup despite being ineligible, yet their futures remain uncertain this month.  

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