Barcelona star Dani Olmo could leave on free transfer in January amid financial troubles - Paper Round
Updated 18/12/2024 at 08:40 GMT
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Barcelona may have to let winger Dani Olmo leave for nothing due to their financial problems, while Arsenal’s on-loan forward Raheem Sterling wants to stay and fight for his place. Elsewhere, Southampton are not rushing into appointing a replacement for the sacked Russell Martin, and Vitor Pereira looks set to replace Gary O’Neil at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Olmo could leave Barca for free in January
The Sun believes Barcelona may struggle to meet their obligations that would allow them to register Dani Olmo for the second half of the season.
If they do not, the paper claims, he could then be permitted to leave the club for nothing.
The paper explains: "Dani Olmo is set to be banned from playing for Barcelona — which could see him leave on a free transfer.
"Olmo, 26, only joined the Spanish giants in August in a ÂŁ50 million deal from RB Leipzig.
"However, Olmo was unable to be registered by his new club due to their ongoing financial issues.
"A long-term injury to defender Andreas Christensen allowed Hansi Flick’s side to register Olmo as an emergency player.
"However, Olmo’s temporary registration expires at the end of the year.
"It means Barcelona have to find a way to get him in their squad officially.
"And if they cannot find a solution, Olmo will effectively be banned from playing for his boyhood club."
Sterling wants Arsenal stay
The Daily Express reports that Raheem Sterling is keen to remain at Arsenal despite struggling for minutes.
The Chelsea man is on loan at the club but has struggled to establish himself in the starting XI.
The paper writes: "The former Manchester City star has made only 10 appearances under Mikel Arteta this season.
"The Gunners boss was excited about the opportunity to reunite with Sterling and snapped him up on a temporary deal when it became clear that the 30-year-old had no future at Chelsea. Arteta and Sterling’s relationship dates back eight years when they worked together at City.
"Sterling has been starved of action since completing the switch on deadline day, though. He has featured for only 146 minutes in the Premier League - the equivalent of just over a game-and-a-half. The exiled England international has scored once in two Carabao Cup appearances.
"Sterling is keen to remain at the Emirates Stadium and fight for his place. He is determined to win a spot in Arteta’s starting 11 for the second half of the season."
Southampton plan long-term appointment
Southampton are planning to appoint a manager better suited to bringing them back up from the Championship, rather than a firefighting alternative.
They recently sacked Russell Martin and now need to find a replacement, reports The Athletic.
The website writes: "Despite their bleak outlook for the remainder of 2024-25, they will not struggle to attract interest in the managerial job. Although the club are aware of who is available and how they are performing, the process of finding Martin’s successor began on Sunday night. Nobody had been lined up to replace him immediately — another tell-tale sign that there were no plans to sack him before the thrashing by Tottenham.
"With Championship football already looking likely in 2025-26, there is little sense in appointing a firefighter-type manager on a short-term basis. They will most likely seek to make another long-term appointment, providing stability for the months and seasons ahead.
"Martin will no doubt be in demand. He has shown he is capable of taking a team into the Premier League and that is an important quality to have for Championship clubs."
Wolves close to Pereira deal
Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to appoint Vitor Pereira as their new manager, the Telegraph believes.
Wolves sacked Gary O’Neil after another chaotic defeat at the weekend, and the Portuguese is expected to step in.
The paper states: "Wolves are closing in on the appointment of Vitor Pereira, but the incoming head coach faces an early blow with influential forward Matheus Cunha facing a potentially lengthy ban.
"Pereira is flying to England on Tuesday to put the finishing touches to his appointment at the Premier League strugglers following the dismissal of Gary O’Neil last weekend.
"The Portuguese is expected to have his appointment confirmed by Wolves in the next 24 hours after the club paid his ÂŁ800,000 release clause at Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab.
"Pereira will sign a 1½-year contract and has been assured of funds for the January transfer window by the Wolves board with super-agent Jorge Mendes heavily involved in the negotiation process. As reported by Telegraph Sport, a new centre-back will be a priority when the window opens."
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