Why Arsenal and Tottenham decided against signing ex-Barcelona man Dani Olmo during summer transfer window
Former Barcelona man Dani Olmo was linked with moves to Arsenal and Tottenham during the summer but, in the end, a move never materialised.
And journalist Alberto Pereiro has lifted the lid on why the midfielder ended up staying at Dinamo Zagreb.
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The Spaniard joined the Croatian club from Barcelona in 2014, which was seen as a risk at the time.
However, Olmo has gone on to become a star for Dinamo, with 32 goals and 26 assists in 114 games for them.
Olmo’s club form as well as some eye-catching displays for Spain at youth level earned him admirers, and he was linked with Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United in the summer.
The 21-year-old stayed in Croatia, however, but it now transpires that he could have ended up in north London – had both clubs not decided to sign other players ahead of him.
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Pereiro told radio station Onda Cero, via Sport Witness: “Dinamo Zagreb were asking for €40m (£34.5m).
“Arsenal were interested, but then they got the opportunity to get Dani Ceballos on loan. They took that option.
“Tottenham were also interested, but then Giovani Lo Celso appeared [became available]. He [Olmo] was never the first option for anyone in a big club.”
Fans of Premier League clubs will have caught glimpses of Olmo in action as his team are in the same Champions League group as Manchester City.
The Citizens won 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium when the two sides met earlier this month.
Pep Guardiola’s men look a sure thing to finish top of Group C but Dinamo Zagreb will fight it out with Atalanta and Shakhtar Donetsk for second spot.
Olmo and co. are currently second in the group after playing out a 2-2 draw against Shakhtar in Ukraine on Tuesday – Olmo getting on the scoresheet in the game.