RB Leipzig in negotiations with Dani Olmo

After the renewed loan of Xavi Simons, Leipzig's new sporting director Marcel Schäfer is now looking for the next top player in Dani Olmo. "This is an outstanding player who has a certain value for us," said the 40-year-old, who took over from Max Eberl, who moved to FC Bayern, at Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on August 1. "We are ready to talk about it, but at the moment we are relatively relaxed."

The Spanish European champion Olmo has recently been repeatedly linked with FC Barcelona, while Manchester City and record champions Munich are also said to have expressed an interest. However, according to media reports, offers from these clubs have so far been rejected by Leipzig. The 26-year-old Spaniard, who has a contract with RB until 2027, is currently valued at €60 million.

Meanwhile, the European champion returned to Leipzig with his advisor on Monday evening after his vacation and is scheduled to start training on Thursday. "I think it's good that he's here early. That's extremely exemplary and professional. Everything else will come from the talks," said Schäfer. "If there's a solution by Thursday, then there will be a solution. Then he'll start training and we'll have another top player in our ranks."

"I'm a fan of big ambitions"

Schäfer emphasized that the club has "succeeded well so far in keeping the key players". Overall, the Saxons' new sporting director is hoping that the squad, which has largely been kept together, will boost the club's performance once again. "The objective can only be to change the letterhead with new titles. That's what we're all striving for," said Schäfer. "I'm a fan of big ambitions and tackling them with full vigor and enthusiasm."

From July 2018 to January 2023, Schäfer worked as sporting director for VfL Wolfsburg, after which the ex-professional held overall sporting responsibility at the club from Lower Saxony until April 10, 2024. At Leipzig, he signed a contract until summer 2028.

"I first have to get an idea of the structures," said the 40-year-old, who once again emphasized the good work that has been done in the past. "Then I want to do my part to ensure that the club continues to develop. And that also applies to the women's soccer department and the academy, where there is still a lot of potential."