RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Dani Olmo is the latest star that has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer as the 26-year-old continues to tear up the 2024 European Championships out in Germany.
The Spain international has led his nation to the final of the competition after their 2-1 semi-final win over France, in which Olmo netted the winning goal halfway through the first half. Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe’s early cross found the head of Randal Kolo Muani who dispatched from close range after just eight minutes, but 16-year-old Lamine Yamal equalised with a stunning curling effort for Spain 10 minutes later.
Just a few minutes passed before Olmo helped his side take the lead, a brilliant piece of finesse saw him clip the ball past Aurelien Tchouameni in his own 18-yard box before volleying his effort into Joules Kounde whose deflection meant the ball ended up past Mike Maignan – the goal eventually being credited to Olmo.
It meant the Spaniard now tops the Golden Boot race with three goals across the tournament, a stat he shares with four other players but stands above the rest due to the two assists he’s provided so far. His performances have shown why he’s on Arsenal’s radar this summer alongside many other clubs.
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His former side Barcelona are said to be interested in bringing Olmo back to La Liga, but the attacker admitted that his sole focus is currently on the Euros during an interview with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, claiming: “I am calm and focused on what is coming, which is the Euro, which is no small thing.
“It is clear that it is good to see your name related to great teams in Europe and the world, that motivates me, but I am focused on the Euro and I hope we can return with the trophy.
“Then we’ll see. It’s nice to see your name related to the greats, but I insist, it’s nothing that bothers me. I am focused on the field and then whatever has to be, will be. We are very close now, one step away from glory.
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“We planned the game very well and, although we conceded a goal, we knew how to react with the spectacular goal from Lamine [Yamal] and then with my own. And in the second half we knew how to control it.”
Now it has been claimed that Premier League and local rivals Chelsea also hold interest in Olmo, but are unlikely to move for him in this summer’s window – even before the release clause expires. According to the Daily Mirror, Olmo’s clause is highly likely to be triggered before the deadline with both English and Spanish clubs in contention but the Blues are adamant they’re not pursuing a deal.
This comes as a huge boost to the Gunners, who would prefer that any of their major rivals in England stay far away from one of their transfer targets, especially someone of Olmo’s calibre. It wouldn’t be the first time the Blues have come in late to swipe away one of Arsenal’s targets either, having done the same back in 2022 when they snagged Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk out from under the Gunners’ noses.
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