Manchester City opted against signing Dani Olmo in the summer and he got his dream move to Barcelona. Now that transfer is in tatters, could City take advantage and offer Olmo a way out in January?

La Liga dropped the bombshell on Barca on New Year's Eve that conditions had not been met to continue Olmo's registration - nor could they register any other new player - due to ongoing financial restrictions placed on the Nou Camp side. La Liga have already deleted Olmo's name and profile from their website, confirming his deregistration, and his future is now up in the air.

Olmo reacted to the news by posting an emoji of a broken heart on his social media. He clearly doesn't want to leave Barcelona after his £51m move from RB Leipzig but may not get a choice in the matter.

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According to AS, his contract in the summer contained a clause that would make him a free agent if Barcelona failed to extend his registration in this very instance.

Barcelona are still fighting for a player they spent a lot of money on, and who was one of the stars of Spain's Euro 2024 triumph. If they cannot resolve their long-running financial issues, however, clubs will be ready to pounce.

And City's need for reinforcements will see them closely linked with a player of Olmo's quality, especially if he was available for nothing, £51m cheaper than he would have cost in the summer.

Pep Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration for Olmo, stretching back to a Champions League meeting with Dinamo Zagreb in 2019 when he scored in a 4-1 win for City.

"He's a top player - he has a bright future, of course," Guardiola said after the game, sparking endless transfer rumours that won't end any time soon.

"His performance today shows it. About the transfer and the money he deserves, that is not the point. The point is he is an incredible player and I am pretty sure he is able to play in the strong leagues in Europe. Hopefully if Dinamo wants and he wants, it can happen."

Olmo himself spoke about City in the summer before joining Barcelona, saying: "Man City are a big club — one of the biggest in the world. Josko [Gvardiol] went there. But I’m happy [at Leipzig]."

City didn't move for Olmo in the summer because of his release clause, but even without that he would represent a potentially messy transfer this month. Just because he could be available doesn't mean he will end up at the Etihad, however much the shoe may fit.