Arsenal offered Barcelona attacker they chased years ago

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Arsenal have been contacted over the potential availability of Dani Olmo, the Barcelona attacker the Gunners pursued during his time at RB Leipzig.

According to TEAMtalk, intermediaries have offered Arsenal the chance to sign the Spain international in the next transfer window, with the north London club said to be weighing up whether he would improve their squad.

A long-standing interest revisited

This is not new ground for Arsenal. The Gunners were among the clubs credited with interest in Olmo while he was at Leipzig, before the attacker completed his move to Barcelona.

Now 28, Olmo remains part of Josep Guardiola's... rather, part of Hansi Flick's plans at the Camp Nou, but the report notes he has not played as much as he would have liked during Barcelona's strong start to the season. Barcelona's squad depth in the attacking areas means the Catalan club could, in theory, afford to let him go.

That combination — a player with limited minutes and a club with alternatives — is what has reportedly made his situation one worth monitoring for interested parties.

The financial angle

The report suggests Olmo would not command the sort of fee that names like Vinicius Junior or Julian Alvarez would have demanded, which is presented as a factor in any potential deal becoming realistic.

Olmo is a versatile forward who has operated as a No. 10, off the left and in deeper midfield roles across his career in Spain, Croatia and Germany. He also brings significant Champions League and international tournament experience, having been a regular for Spain.

Whether that profile is one Arteta's side are actively seeking is a separate question to whether the opportunity has been presented. Being offered a player by intermediaries is a different thing entirely to a club driving a move, and it is worth noting that TEAMtalk's report frames this as Arsenal being approached rather than Arsenal initiating contact.

What happens next

For any move to progress, two things would need to fall into place. Arsenal would have to decide Olmo fits their plans, and Barcelona would have to be willing to sanction an exit for a player who, by all accounts, still contributes when called upon.

Neither of those is confirmed at this stage. Barcelona have not publicly indicated a willingness to sell, and there has been no suggestion from the club's side that Olmo has asked to leave.

Olmo's situation is one to keep an eye on as the next window approaches, with the amount of football he is getting at the Camp Nou likely to shape how the story develops.