Barcelona’s bid to re-register summer signings Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the second half of the season has been rejected by Spain’s football authorities, leaving both players in limbo until the summer.
The duo, initially registered only until the end of December due to La Liga’s wage-cap restrictions, now find themselves sidelined after a joint decision by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga to deny Barcelona’s request.
A statement from the governing bodies confirmed the decision
“The monitoring committee agrees not to grant the prior approval or the definitive licence requested by FC Barcelona for the players Daniel Olmo Carvajal and Pau Victor Delgado.”
Why Were They Rejected?
Barcelona’s financial struggles have been well-documented, with the club forced to navigate La Liga’s strict financial regulations.
Despite recent efforts to improve their financial position, league rules prevent clubs from re-registering players in the same season where their registration has been previously cancelled.
The decision follows two previous court rulings against Barcelona’s attempts to register the players.
Impact on Olmo and Victor
Dani Olmo, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig for £51 million after helping Spain win the European Championship, has been a key figure under coach Hansi Flick.
The 26-year-old midfielder is now left in limbo, with speculation mounting over his future.
Reports suggest that Olmo, who is highly sought after in Europe, could leave the club if the situation remains unresolved.
Meanwhile, Pau Victor, 23, signed from Girona, has featured mainly as a substitute in La Liga this season.
Though less prominent than Olmo, his career is also on hold as Barcelona explores further legal options.
Barcelona’s Response and Next Steps
Barcelona have yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest rejection but are reportedly planning to file a complaint with the Spanish government in a last-ditch effort to extend the players’ registrations.
Spanish media, however, report that the likelihood of success is slim, given the rigidity of La Liga’s financial and registration rules.
Barcelona’s Season So Far
The Catalan giants currently sit third in La Liga, five points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
The inability to use Olmo and Victor for the remainder of the season is a huge blow, especially as the club seeks to keep pace in the title race and remain competitive in Europe.
While the club’s financial situation has improved, this latest setback underscores the challenges Barcelona continues to face in balancing their economic recovery with maintaining a competitive squad.
For now, both Dani Olmo and Pau Victor’s futures hang in the balance, leaving Barcelona with more questions than answers as they head into the business end of the season.
