Liverpool hold talks on Barcelona star Dani Olmo as Julian Ward eyes Wirtz upgrade

Liverpool have held talks about a possible deal for Barcelona forward Dani Olmo, with the Merseyside club assessing the 28‑year‑old’s availability for the New Year. The discussions follow the appointment of Julian Ward as sporting director over the weekend and come as Liverpool plan their 2027 transfer strategy, including a potential Florian Wirtz upgrade.

Julian Ward’s early agenda

Ward, appointed as Liverpool’s new sporting director, immediately flagged the need to reinforce the right‑back position after Trent Alexander‑Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid. The club’s current options, such as Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, are either still developing or hampered by injury. Ward also highlighted a desire to reshuffle central midfield, noting that Dominik Szoboszlai was often deployed out of position last season.

Transfer targets and buy‑back clauses

GMS suggested Liverpool consider activating a £55m buy‑back clause for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, with personal terms already agreed should the club exercise the option next year. In midfield, Ward is eyeing Monaco’s Lamine Camara, a 22‑year‑old Senegalese international whose Chelsea move collapsed on deadline day; senior GMS correspondent Ben Jacobs reported that Camara would rank high on Liverpool’s 2027 list if his Chelsea transfer falls through.

Beyond the right‑back and midfield, the Reds have identified a possible upgrade to Florian Wirtz, whose £116m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen last summer has yet to deliver the expected output. Wirtz’s current assist and duelling statistics suggest he must improve his final‑third contributions to justify his price tag.

Barcelona’s Dani Olmo, signed for around £50m from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2024, is regarded as a key player but could become available next year. Reports indicate that intermediaries have approached Liverpool, while Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have yet to make formal bids. Bayern Munich also monitor Olmo’s situation, adding another layer of competition for his signature.

In addition to the Olmo saga, Liverpool’s right‑back options remain under scrutiny. Ronald Araujo, currently filling in at centre‑back, is not a long‑term solution, and Szoboszlai’s occasional deployment there last season underscores the need for a specialist defender.

Overall, the club’s transfer blueprint reflects a dual focus: securing a high‑profile upgrade for Florian Wirtz while potentially adding Dani Olmo’s creativity to the attack. Both moves hinge on Julian Ward’s ability to navigate a crowded market and manage substantial financial commitments.