Manchester City have identified Red Bull Leipzig’s Dani Olmo as their replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian is coming into the final year of his contract at the Etihad, and with his future looking uncertain with the Premier League champions, the Cityzens have started looking for his replacement. Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo has emerged as their number one target, and reports suggest that Pep Guardiola’s side are preparing to bring the midfielder to the Premier League regardless of De Bruyne’s future.
The captain’s future is being called into question, and at 33, it would be questioned how much longer he could continue to play at the highest level.
Is Saudi the future for Manchester City captain?
Many have suggested that a move to the Middle East could be the way forward for the Belgian midfielder. With a year remaining on his contract, City could be looking into the possibility of selling one of the most iconic players they have seen in the club’s colours.
The “Saudi Revolution” has seen many swap some of Europe’s top leagues for the Saudi Pro League, including another legendary player, Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Manchester United for the riches of Saudi Arabia.
According to the Manchester Evening News, there have been reports of clubs in the Saudi Pro League circling the potential signature of the 33-year-old, with Al Ittihad rumoured to have a verbal agreement with the Belgian.
Manchester City Target Dani Olmo.
Olmo had emerged as a target for Pep Guardiola’s side prior to the beginning of the European Championships, where he is currently competing with Spain, who reached the final this evening, helped by the Leipzig man’s strike against France to give them a 2-1 victory.
As reported by Give Me Sport, City are weighing up activating the release clause in the midfielder’s contract, reported to be around £51 million.
That transfer would not be affected by the club captain’s decision to remain at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola and his side aware of the fact that De Bruyne is not getting any younger and would struggle to compete at this level on a weekly basis.
A potential transfer for the Spaniard would be seen as an alternative to West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, who is currently surrounded by controversy. However, they are not alone in their interest in the midfielder, with Leipzig’s Bundesliga rivals, Bayern Munich looking at the midfielder also.
What would Dani Olmo bring to Manchester City?
Not only would the Spaniard bring a fresh spark in the attacking midfield department, but he would also be able to provide cover on the left wing. That position is another surrounded by uncertainty, with the future of Jack Grealish also being raised this summer.
26-year-old Olmo has been one of Spani’s shining lights at the European Championships this summer, which could make that £51 million release clause look an absolute steal for the midfielder. The midfielder averaged 1.99 key passes for Leipzig last year, a significant amount over Paqueta’s 1.48.
His goal against France in this evening’s semi-final clash was his third of the tournament, and with two assists to his name alongside that, it makes him one of the standout players in the competition. Those displays will surely have left City fans purring at the potential of adding the Spaniard to an already impressive team that is very hard to improve.