Update: Barcelona make Dani Olmo decision after fierce battle which sparked Man United transfer links News

Manchester United were linked with Barcelona star Dani Olmo during their battle over registering players

Barcelona star Dani Olmo will miss their trip to Leganes on Saturday but will step up his preparations to return to the fold following a registration debacle that sparked January transfer links with Manchester United and Manchester City.

The La Liga leaders have been in a bitter row with the league over the registration of Pau Victor and Olmo over allegations that Barcelona had missed deadlines during a salary dispute.

In January, the pair were de-registered but chiefs at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium maintained that they had met the requirements and appealed to the High Sports Committee for an injunction.

Last week, it was ruled in Barcelona’s favour to keep the pair registered for the rest of the season.

But La Lig have claimed to the CSD and have appealed the decision after the initial dispute with Barcelona sparked a wrath of media reports over the European Championships winner making a move to the Premier League.

And now Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has explained that Olmo will not take part in the game against Leganes.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Madrid, Flick said: “He won’t play.

“He’ll stay here and won’t travel. It’s better for him to remain here and train.”

In the summer, Barcelona were handed a temporary registration for the remainder of 2024 after they managed to readjust wages to comply with their commitments to Financial Fair Play (FFP).

It led to speculation that United could snap him up, especially when his agent Andy Bara admitted to visiting Manchester on Boxing Day – before the player’s representative subsequently dismissed transfer interest.

“To be honest, I feel calm,” he told Give Me Sport when asked about links to United in January.

“It could feel strange but I believe in [Barcelona] president Laporta, Deco and I feel they will find a solution for Dani. It’s a massive club.

“We are not negotiating with any club. Dani is Barcelona player and he wants to be a Barcelona player. He has made a big effort in his life to be at Barcelona.

“It was his desire for a long time. Barcelona is the first and last option! Dani, his father, family, me, we’re not thinking about other options.

“Of course the best players are when players are free, but the emotions also matter. We have never made any career decision for money.

“Dani plays football as he loves the game, he made a massive effort to be at Barcelona. I’m also happy to have Dani at Barcelona, he’s one of the best players in the world at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I believe that Barcelona will finalise everything and make it happen. La Liga should help them, instead of these reports of Dani not being available for the national team, but I’m sure he will be at Barca for many years. He’s happy at the club and Dani has a desire to be there.”