Raphinha: Olmo saga could put players off joining Barcelona – Soccer News

Raphinha admits Barcelona’s struggles to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor could deter future transfer targets from joining the Catalan giants.

Barca brought Euro 2024-winning midfielder Olmo in from RB Leipzig in pre-season, while Victor arrived from Girona.

However, the Blaugrana have spent the last few years struggling to comply with LaLiga’s strict salary cap rules, and they were only able to register the duo for the first half of the season.

They have seen several appeals to register them for the second half of the campaign rejected, and their last hope now rests with the Spanish government through the Administrative Sports Court (CSD).

Raphinha – who joined Barcelona from Leeds United at the height of their financial difficulties in 2022 – does not agree with Hansi Flick’s claim that other players will simply look past the Blaugrana’s issues.

“I think Olmo and Pau’s situation may affect signings in the future,” Raphinha said at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Supercopa de Espana semi-final versus Athletic Bilbao.

“I don’t like telling lies, the truth is that if I were at another club and I saw this situation, I would doubt if it was the right club for me.

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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 7, 2025

“However, when I came, I knew Barca’s situation. I waited until the last moment and I don’t regret anything.”

Olmo has travelled to Saudi Arabia for Barca’s Supercopa tie with Athletic, though coach Flick revealed on Tuesday he is unlikely to receive permission to play.

The winner of that game will take on either Real Madrid or Real Mallorca in the final.