As the summer transfer window approaches, Manchester City’s strategic planning for life after Kevin De Bruyne has begun taking concrete shape. According to reliable sources within European football circles, City manager Pep Guardiola has identified Barcelona’s Dani Olmo as a primary target should the club fail in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. This development signals Manchester City’s proactive approach to maintaining their midfield dominance in the post-De Bruyne era, which many observers believe is drawing closer.
Renowned German journalist Christian Falk recently revealed exclusive information regarding the Premier League champions’ transfer strategy: “We’ve heard Manchester City want Dani Olmo – it’s supposed to be a hot topic. He’s currently playing for Barcelona, but isn’t a regular under Hansi Flick. Pep Guardiola sees him as a good replacement for Kevin de Bruyne – and his move is a bit easier to realize.”
The pursuit of Olmo represents a calculated pivot in City’s transfer policy, as the club appears to be encountering unexpected resistance in their previously reported interest in Florian Wirtz. The 21-year-old German international has been widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising midfield talents, but competition for his signature has intensified significantly.
Florian Wirtz’s meteoric rise at Bayer Leverkusen has attracted attention from Europe’s elite clubs, creating what industry insiders describe as one of the most competitive transfer races in recent years. According to Falk, Manchester City have received intelligence suggesting they may not be the frontrunners in this particular contest: “We also heard that City learned during the talks that Bayern are a bit further along with Wirtz. So: City is looking for Olmo. That would take THE player off the table.”
This revelation provides crucial context to City’s apparent shift in focus toward Olmo. Bayern Munich’s advanced position in negotiations with Wirtz follows a long-established pattern of the Bavarian giants securing Germany’s top talents. The situation is further complicated by Liverpool’s recent entry into discussions with Wirtz’s representatives, creating a three-way battle between European powerhouses.
Bayer Leverkusen’s valuation of Wirtz at approximately €150 million (£126 million) adds another layer of complexity to the transfer saga. This substantial figure represents a significant investment even for clubs with Manchester City’s financial resources, potentially explaining the club’s willingness to explore alternatives such as Olmo.
Dani Olmo’s situation at Barcelona presents Manchester City with an intriguing opportunity. Despite joining the Catalan giants with considerable expectations, the Spanish international has struggled to secure a regular starting position under manager Hansi Flick. This circumstance, coupled with Barcelona’s persistent financial challenges, creates a potential opening for City to secure a player who possesses many attributes that appeal to Guardiola’s technical philosophy.
The interest in Olmo dates back to January, when rumors circulated that Barcelona might be forced to release the player due to registration complications. While that scenario did not materialize, City’s continued monitoring of the situation demonstrates their long-term strategic interest in the midfielder.
Olmo’s technical proficiency, positional versatility, and experience in multiple European leagues make him a logical target for Guardiola’s system. Having developed at Barcelona’s La Masia academy before flourishing at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, Olmo brings a diverse footballing education that aligns well with City’s sophisticated tactical approach.
The pursuit of high-caliber midfield talent reflects Manchester City’s acknowledgment that planning for Kevin De Bruyne’s eventual departure is becoming increasingly urgent. The Belgian maestro has been the creative heartbeat of City’s most successful era, contributing decisively to multiple Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League triumph.
While De Bruyne remains a world-class performer, his recent injury history and advancing age have necessitated succession planning at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola and the club’s recruitment team appear to be pursuing a strategy that would allow any successor time to integrate alongside De Bruyne before eventually assuming his creative responsibilities.
This approach mirrors City’s handling of previous key position transitions, such as the methodical succession from Fernandinho to Rodri in the defensive midfield role. The club’s track record suggests a preference for managed transitions rather than reactive replacements after departures.
While Olmo has emerged as Guardiola’s preferred alternative to Wirtz, Manchester City’s multi-faceted recruitment strategy includes additional considerations. Sources close to the club indicate that Director of Football Hugo Viana has identified Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White as another potential target.
Gibbs-White represents a different profile of midfielder compared to Olmo and Wirtz, having established himself as one of the Premier League’s most improved players during Nottingham Forest’s campaign. His homegrown status adds another dimension to his potential acquisition, helping City address squad registration requirements.
The club is also believed to be evaluating internal options, with several academy graduates showing promise in similar positions. However, the pursuit of established talents like Olmo suggests that City’s leadership believes external recruitment is necessary to maintain their competitive standards in this crucial area of the pitch.
Barcelona’s financial circumstances continue to influence their transfer decisions, creating potential opportunities for clubs like Manchester City. Despite efforts to stabilize their economic situation, the Catalan club remains under pressure to balance their books while maintaining competitiveness.
Olmo’s irregular role under Hansi Flick could prove decisive in any potential negotiations. Players of his caliber typically expect consistent first-team opportunities, and his current situation may create leverage for City in discussions. Barcelona’s need to generate funds for their own recruitment plans might further incentivize them to consider substantial offers for players who aren’t central to their immediate plans.
Industry analysts suggest that a fee in the region of €60-70 million could potentially secure Olmo’s services, representing a significant but more manageable investment compared to the figures discussed for Wirtz.
Liverpool’s reported discussions with Wirtz add another dimension to the transfer landscape that City must navigate. The Merseyside club’s interest suggests that they also view the German international as a transformative midfield talent worth substantial investment.
This development creates a more complex negotiating environment, potentially driving up Wirtz’s eventual transfer fee and making City’s pivot to alternative targets like Olmo a pragmatic decision. The Premier League rivals have frequently targeted similar player profiles in recent years, reflecting their comparable playing philosophies under their respective managers.
Liverpool’s involvement could accelerate City’s pursuit of Olmo, as securing a preferred alternative before competitors shift their attention to the same targets represents sound strategic thinking in the transfer market
Bayern Munich’s advanced position in the race for Wirtz follows a well-established pattern of the German giants attracting the Bundesliga’s brightest talents. From Joshua Kimmich to Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka to Leroy Sané, Bayern have consistently succeeded in bringing Germany’s most promising players to the Allianz Arena.
This historical context makes their reported advantage in negotiations with Wirtz entirely plausible. The opportunity to remain in Germany while competing at the highest level has proven appealing to many German internationals in the past, creating a structural advantage for Bayern that City must acknowledge in their recruitment planning
The Bavarian club’s apparent lead in securing Wirtz’s preference helps explain City’s willingness to pivot toward Olmo, representing a recognition of market realities rather than a diminished ambition in their recruitment targets
Pep Guardiola’s personal interest in Olmo highlights the manager’s continued influence on Manchester City’s recruitment decisions. As he approaches what many believe could be his final seasons at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola appears determined to ensure his successor inherits a squad equipped to maintain the club’s elite standards.
The Catalan manager’s preference for technically gifted midfielders who can operate in multiple positions is reflected in the pursuit of players like Olmo and Wirtz. Both possess the versatility and game intelligence that Guardiola has consistently prioritized throughout his managerial career.
Guardiola’s personal knowledge of Olmo, who developed initially at Barcelona, may provide additional confidence in the player’s ability to adapt to City’s demanding tactical requirements. This familiarity could prove instrumental in any eventual negotiations
While Manchester City possess significant financial resources, their recruitment strategy has increasingly emphasized value alongside quality. The reported £126 million valuation for Wirtz represents a substantial investment even for a club of City’s means, particularly for a player who, despite his remarkable talent, would be making his first move to an elite European club.
In contrast, Olmo’s likely lower transfer fee combined with his experience across multiple top European leagues presents a potentially more balanced risk-reward profile. City’s decision-makers, including Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano, have consistently emphasized sustainable financial management alongside sporting ambition.
This value-conscious approach doesn’t indicate a reluctance to make significant investments when deemed necessary, but rather a preference for optimizing resources across the squad rather than concentrating expenditure excessively on individual acquisitions.
Manchester City’s transfer strategy unfolds against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive Premier League landscape. Liverpool’s reported interest in Wirtz exemplifies how England’s elite clubs often target similar player profiles, creating competitive dynamics that extend beyond the pitch and into recruitment activities.
The potential acquisition of Olmo would represent not only a strengthening of City’s squad but also a denial of his talents to domestic rivals who might otherwise pursue him. This strategic dimension to transfer activity has become increasingly important as the margins between the Premier League’s top teams have narrowed.
City’s proactive approach to succession planning provides them with a potential advantage over competitors who might find themselves reacting to departures rather than anticipating them. This forward-thinking mindset has been a hallmark of the club’s operations during their most successful period.
Manchester City’s pursuit of Dani Olmo as a potential alternative to Florian Wirtz reflects the club’s methodical approach to squad evolution. Rather than reacting to setbacks or competition in the transfer market, City’s recruitment team appears to maintain a flexible strategy with multiple viable options for each position they seek to strengthen.
The specific interest in Olmo demonstrates Guardiola’s continued influence on recruitment targets and suggests that technical quality and tactical versatility remain paramount in City’s evaluation of midfield talent. While fans might have been excited by the prospect of securing Wirtz, Olmo represents a sophisticated alternative who could similarly thrive in City’s system.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Manchester City’s ability to navigate this complex recruitment landscape will be crucial to their continued dominance in English and European football. The pursuit of Olmo signals not just a contingency plan, but a confident adaptation to market realities by a club that has mastered the art of strategic evolution while maintaining competitive excellence.
Whether through Wirtz, Olmo, or another as-yet-unrevealed target, Manchester City’s determination to maintain their midfield dominance ensures that the post-De Bruyne era, whenever it arrives, will be approached with the same meticulous planning that has characterized the club’s rise to the pinnacle of world football.
