Home » Teams » Manchester United » Man United reviving interest in their £23.5m summer target would solve creativity issues

Man United reviving interest in their £23.5m summer target would solve creativity issues

Why Dani Olmo could be a brilliant signing for Manchester United

Back in August, the Croatian daily Sportske Novosti (h/t The Sun) had claimed that Manchester United were one of the clubs interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb attacker Dani Olmo. However, their bid of £23.5m was rejected by Zagreb.

No deal materialized as Dinamo Zagreb wanted to keep the Spaniard for the remainder of their Champions League qualification campaign (h/t The Sun).

Dani Olmo, 21, spent seven years with Barcelona during his youth career before joining Dinamo Zagreb in 2014.

The playmaker had an excellent 2018/19 campaign with Dinamo where he netted 12 goals and created 9. He has already clocked up close to 120 appearances in all competitions for the Croatian giants.

Dani Olmo is regarded as one of the best young talents in Europe. (Getty Images)
Dani Olmo is regarded as one of the best young talents in Europe. (Getty Images)

The 21-year-old played a starring role as Spain won the UEFA U21 European Championships earlier this summer. Joined by Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz and Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos in the midfield, he certainly worked wonders.

He has hit the ground running in the new campaign, bagging six goals in 14 appearances across all competitions.

That has seen Olmo receive his first call-up to the Spanish senior squad for their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Malta and Romania (h/t The Marca). That being said, Manchester United should revive their interest in Olmo when the transfer window reopens.

United have struggled to score goals this season after allowing the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez depart in the summer.

Dinamo Zagreb's Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring goal. (Getty Images)
Dinamo Zagreb’s Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring goal. (Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial haven’t been prolific goalscorers and that is clearly visible this season, thus haunting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to not sign a striker during the summer.

However, one just cannot blame the strikers for the Red Devils’ lack of goals. Solskjaer doesn’t have a creative midfielder to constantly open up stubborn defences and feed the strikers.

Paul Pogba is one such player but before his ankle injury, he was used in a deeper role alongside Scott McTominay. Juan Mata doesn’t seem to have the legs to fit Solskjaer’s style of expansive football.

While signing a striker has to be United’s primary target in January, Solskjaer must not overlook adding a creative No.10 to his ranks. In this case, Dani Olmo would fit the bill perfectly at Old Trafford.

Dani Olmo (Getty Images)
Dani Olmo (Getty Images)

More Manchester United News

Olmo is capable of playing as a winger, but his performances for Zagreb this season have come in a central attacking role. With six goals and six assists so far this season, he has shone once again for Dinamo and has the potential to thrive in the Premier League.

Verdict

The Spaniard is an excellent dribbler, can knit the play, work in tight spaces and score goals from outside the box as well. In the video below, one would get a glimpse of Olmo’s aforementioned attributes and why United must go all out to sign him in the New Year.