Man Utd and Arsenal could land free transfer in January as 'agent flies to UK'

Manchester United and Arsenal have been put on red alert following reports that Dani Olmo’s agent has flown into the UK. Both clubs have been linked with the Barcelona star, who may be heading for a dramatic exit from the Catalan giants less than five months after he rejoined his boyhood club.

Barca paid £52million for the midfielder following Euro 2024, where he was a key figure in Spain’s success.

However, they were then unable to register to 26-year-old due to financial constraints.

The La Liga side were only able to eventually register Olmo within the salary cap after a long-term injury to Andreas Christensen, with rules meaning that 80 per cent of an injured player’s salary can be reallocated for a new squad member. Olmo’s six-month temporary contract expires on December 31 and could now leave next month.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with the player, as Ruben Amorim prepares to get his squad overhaul underway. Arsenal meanwhile, have reportedly kept regular contact with Olmo’s representatives.

According to The Mail, Olmo’s agent Andy Bara is now in Manchester ahead of the January transfer window opening. He was said to have flown into the city via private jet, in time to attend the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton.

Despite Olmo’s preference seemingly being to stay and sort out his registration process with Barca, it now appears that Bara is actively exploring the possibility of his client moving to England. The window opens for English clubs on January 1.

Only this week, the 41-cap international told Mundo Deportivo: “This year has been very special, but this is only the beginning. I feel that there is still a lot to do. I want to win titles with Barça and with the national team.”

Both United and the Gunners appear in need of reinforcements. Arsenal’s current injury woes were compounded after their latest win over Crystal Palace, with key man Bukayo Saka now ruled out until February with a hamstring injury.

The Red Devils meanwhile, saw their flaws again exposed in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Wolves. Casemiro again put in an ineffective display, while Mason Mount is ruled out short-term following his latest breakdown.

Manuel Ugarte has also struggled to impress since his summer move from PSG. While Olmo plays in a more advanced role than all three of those players, his reputation for being fluid in possession is likely to fit-in with Amorim’s philosophy, with the Portuguese manager having immediately imposed his favoured 3-4-3 formation at the club