MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly been joined in the race for Dani Olmo by Juventus and Barcelona.
Tuttosport claims Maurizio Sarri has identified the versatile winger as key to Juve’s progress in future seasons.
Juventus and Barcelona have joined Man Utd in the hunt for Dani OlmoCredit: Getty Images
While Mundo Deportivo states that Barca are keen on re-signing Olmo after he spent seven years at their famous La Masia academy.
The Spain international, 21, currently plies his trade in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb, joining them at just 16 years of age in 2014 after deciding opportunities were limited in Catalonia.
He’s gone on to score 32 times in 119 games for the Champions League regulars.
And despite being pursued by the Croatian national side, Olmo made his debut for Spain in last week’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Malta – taking just three minutes to score in a 7-0 win.
Olmo’s fine form in recent years has seen him attract the interest of Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He has six goals and six assists in all competitions this season.
And Olmo admitted in July that he was “attracted” to the idea of playing in England.
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That led to further interest from Utd’s Premier League rivals Spurs.
However, no move materialised for Olmo over the summer.
But it was widely reported in Croatia that Zagreb rejected a £23.5m bid from the Red Devils in the hope that should Olmo impress in this season’s Champions League, they can demand a higher fee next summer.
And Olmo’s value is now set to skyrocket after Euro heavyweights Juventus and Barcelona threw their hats in the ring for his coveted signature.
Sarri is in the market for attacking reinforcements, with Mario Mandzukic set to leave in January while Juan Cuadrado enters the final six months of his contract.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain aren’t getting younger and aren’t in the best of form either.
And Sarri believes Olmo would be perfect alongside Paulo Dybala in a fluid front line.
Meanwhile, former club Barcelona are eager to bring Olmo back to the Nou Camp.
They have a history of re-signing former players, including Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and Denis Suarez.
And Olmo is seen as having the potential to eventually fill Lionel Messi’s boots as the Argentine approaches his 33rd birthday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
