Hansi Flick explains Dani Olmo absence from Barcelona’s win over Athletic Club

Hansi Flick has revealed he is powerless to prevent Dani Olmo missing Barcelona games as the club scramble to register him with La Liga following his transfer from RB Leipzig earlier this summer.

Barca secured the Euro 2024 winner's signature in a deal worth roughly €60m earlier this month and he was named in the initial squad for Saturday's win over Athletic Club. However, he was eventually omitted from the matchday roster as a result of the Blaugrana's ongoing difficulties meeting La Liga's strict salary rules.

Goals from Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski were enough for Barca to secure a 2-1 triumph over Athletic, who fielded Nico Williams, a high-profile target for the Catalans after his successful summer on the international scene.

Speaking after the victory, Flick said: "I have hopes but I don't know. I can't control it. We have to focus on what we need and today we wanted the three points and we got them."

Barca are hoping to offload more players before the transfer window closes, which would allow them to register Olmo. Ilkay Gundogan has completed a return to Manchester City after just one season in Spain, while defender Julian Araujo has also moved to England with Bournemouth completing a deal.

There has also been interest in versatile defender Andreas Christensen, with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all said to be monitoring the Denmark international, while fellow centre-back Eric Garcia remains a target for Girona.

Meanwhile, young Brazilian Vitor Roque is expected to join Real Betis on loan, having struggled to establish himself at Barca since his move from Athletico Paranaense in January.

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