For what feels like the 10th year in row, Dani Olmo is a massive transfer story. This time, it is not who will finally buy him from RB Leipzig, but whether anyone can snap him up from Barcelona, instead.

Just five months after moving to Camp Nou, his future at the club is in jeopardy. Registration issues mean that he is currently on the brink of becoming a free agent despite signing for over £50million in the summer.

Hansi Flick's side were far from the only team interested in him then, as is standard, with all of the top clubs across Europe letting their stance be known. Chelsea, who were in the middle of yet another revamp - especially in attack - were, no surprise, among those linked.

READ MORE: Chelsea and Joao Felix reach worrying transfer agreement as £39m U-turn already possible

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca secures exciting £29m Chelsea transfer upgrade to unlock new Cole Palmer threat

Despite Olmo coming off the back of yet another impressive season in Germany and then helping Spain to an unexpected, yet convincing, Euro 2024 win, Chelsea's admiration went no further than being just that. The club, football.london learnt at the time, were very high on the player and rated his skills tremendously, however, that wasn't enough to draw a bid or any serious talks.

Barcelona, on the other hand, prioritised Olmo and they were determined to make him their summer statement addition. Olmo, who came through the La Masia academy, was set on returning.

There were loops for Barcelona to jump through, financially, as they had to appease La Liga in a move that cost them Ilkay Gundogan. Even then, Olmo could still only be registered as an emergency after ex-Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen picked up a damaging injury.

That was only a temporary solution and on December 31 the problem reared itself once more, leaving Olmo and Barcelona in a position of uncertainty and fragility. This is why Olmo has become, perhaps, the standout name to watch for January 2025.

Chelsea, though, should not be expected to be pitched very close to the story. Unlike over the summer or during previous windows, there is very little that makes sense in the deal.

Enzo Maresca saw significant changes to the squad that he inherited over the summer, and among them was the arrival of Joao Felix. Coming in for £45million, a deal that looked questionable at first glance has only proven to be just as strange after half a season.

Felix is not part of Maresca's favoured Premier League XI, something shown against Everton and Fulham last week when he was left on the substitutes bench despite points being up for grabs. He has been too good for Conference League opposition, but ultimately that does not repay the sort of money Chelsea splashed out for him.

As an attacking midfielder that prefers to play as a No.10, Felix is already competing with Cole Palmer for minutes and has acted as a replacement left-wing option, tucking inside when sparingly used. Unless something out of nothing was to occur with Felix leaving or getting injured, then there would be no room for Olmo in the squad anyway.

Carney Chukwuemeka, a highly-rated but hardly turned-to attacking option, is almost certain to depart before the window closes on February 3 himself. Even if he does exit, Olmo would not be content with taking all of his game-time.

What this leaves is a picture that has one of Europe's top playmakers possibly being on the market and available for nothing. Chelsea, though, will not be in the race.

They were not really part of the push for Olmo over the summer when the squad was being put together and, now it has been formed, there is no logic or space to add him in six months later.