Why Liverpool should try to win the race for Dani Olmo

According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool are among a host of top European clubs tracking Spanish U-21 international Dani Olmo, who currently plies his trade with Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian top-flight. 

The Reds, though, are likely to face stiff competition from the likes of AC Milan, PSG and Borussia Dortmund in their pursuit of the 21-year-old attacker, who is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after young players in Europe. (h/t Liverpool Echo)

Despite widespread interest from the Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window, a move to English football never quite materialized for the highly-rated youngster but, with the 21-year-old’s contract at Dinamo Zagreb set to expire in 2021, interest in his services is likely to soar sky-high next summer. 

Born in Terrassa, Spain, Olmo spent seven years in the youth ranks of Barcelona before making a surprise move to Dinamo Zagreb in 2014. The technically-gifted attacker initially spent time with Zagreb’s reserves but he soon made his professional debut and hasn’t looked back ever since. 

Olmo, who was instrumental in Spain’s triumphant campaign at the 2019 U-21 UEFA European Championship in Italy and San Marino, has gone from strength to strength over the course of his stay at Zagreb, earning plenty of plaudits for his playmaking abilities in the Croatian top-flight. 

The Spanish U-21 international boasts of a tally of 31 goals and 26 assists in 113 appearances for the Croatian giants and has also caught the eye in the club’s Champions League campaign this term, starring in the 4-0 rout of Atalanta on Matchday 1. 

An elegant right-footed attacking midfielder who is capable of playing out wide on either flank and also in a No.10 role in the behind the striker, Dani Olmo is noted for his technique, vision, dribbling skills, eye for goal and excellent close control, whilst also boasting of remarkable speed of thought to run the show in and around the penalty area. 

Furthermore, the Spaniard has the work rate and the footballing intelligence to bring others into play by running into the channels between the full-backs and the centre-backs, not to mention his proficiency in splitting the lines with killer passes, that makes him such a potent threat in the final third. 

To put things into perspective, Liverpool are right up there with the very best in Europe at the moment but the Reds should continue to look at young and talented players to improve their squad and someone like Dani Olmo certainly fits the bill at Anfield. 

Indeed, in Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool arguably have the most devastating forward line in Europe it is worth pointing out that they are yet to bring in a natural No.10 following the exit of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018. 

With James Milner nearing his twilight, Adam Lallana only a shadow of his former influential self, Naby Keita failing to live up to his price tag and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain yet to hit top gear following a long spell on the sidelines, Dani Olmo could possibly add another dimension to Liverpool’s attack and provide Jurgen Klopp with a creative weapon to break down stubborn defences. 

Liverpool have relied heavily on the full-back pairing of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to provide that creative spark from the wide areas but the arrival of Olmo might as well work wonders for the Reds. 

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The 21-year-old is already a very complete player at the highest level and one would expect him to evolve into a world-beater under the charismatic tutelage of Klopp, who is probably the best when it comes to moulding young players. 

With that in mind, Liverpool should go all out in their pursuit of the former Barcelona youth prospect next summer and his contract situation at Zagreb means that the Reds are unlikely to have to break the bank to snap him up.