Barcelona faces a summer full of moves and decisions that will shape the immediate future of the project. Hansi Flick has made it clear from day one that he doesn't want players based on their names, but on their performance. Under that premise, one of the most expensive signings in recent years has been seriously singled out.
The German coach has shown himself to be a demanding manager with no commitments to the sporting management or the presidency. When he believes a player isn't up to what the team requires, he sidelines him. His priority is competitiveness, and in this case, not even the price paid has served as a shield.
The footballer in question arrived with great expectations and under the label of a game-changing reinforcement for Barça. His signing cost €55 million ($55 million), a significant investment for the club's financial situation. However, his performance on the field and his fragility at key moments have put everything in doubt.
The bet seemed justified at the time, since he was a player with international experience. At his previous club, he had shown he was capable of deciding important matches with quality and determination. However, the reality in Barcelona has been very different, marked by inconsistency and a lack of continuity.
Flick doesn't forgive the lack of consistency
Hansi Flick is a coach who prioritizes intensity and discipline above any other characteristic. He believes that consistency in training and matches is non-negotiable and he isn't willing to tolerate ups and downs. That has been the main problem with this signing, who has never managed to keep stability.
In several important matches, he was exposed by not responding when he was needed most. Flick, who always emphasizes that "you play as you train," has seen a worrying lack of commitment. Although in some games he showed flashes of his enormous quality, it was never enough for him to establish himself as an undisputed starter.
Most seriously, according to sources in the locker room, those doubts have even caused some confusion among teammates. Some players believe it's unfair that he has had so many opportunities despite not performing at the desired level. That atmosphere of favoritism is exactly what Flick wants to eradicate from the squad since his arrival.
That's why the coach has decided to bet on alternatives within the team itself, such as young academy players who are pushing hard. His trust in footballers trained at La Masia contrasts with his lack of patience toward inconsistent stars. In this regard, the German has already given clear instructions to the sporting management regarding this case.
The market offers an unexpected way out
What seemed like an unsolvable problem could become a relief for the board. Bayern Munich would be willing to bring him back for €55 million ($55 million), the same amount as his signing. A deal that would allow Barça to recover the investment and correct an obvious planning mistake.
In Germany, it's claimed that the Bavarian club is open to his return to strengthen the squad. With a contract still in force for several years, Barça would be relieved at the chance to cash in. The deal would benefit all parties: the player, who would return to a familiar environment, and the Catalan club.
Meanwhile, Flick is already thinking about how to redistribute minutes among the players he truly considers essential for his system. The German wants a versatile, competitive, and solid team that can aim for everything from the first matchday. Leaving behind wrong decisions is a step that can't be delayed any longer.
The name of the player in question
For weeks, there had been speculation about the identity of the player who wasn't convincing Flick. Some pointed to recent additions in defense or attack, but the problem was in another area of the field. The answer, finally, is clear: Dani Olmo is the footballer Barça wants to part ways with this summer.
The Spanish international arrived from RB Leipzig as a major bet by Joan Laporta. However, constant injuries, his physical fragility, and inconsistency in the most demanding matches have undermined his continuity. Now, Flick has no doubts: he prefers to lose Olmo and recover the investment rather than keep waiting for miracles.
Bayern is already preparing the ground for his return, while Barça is getting ready to close a bitter chapter. If the deal goes through, the club will have learned that spending €55 million ($55 million) doesn't always guarantee success. For Flick, letting go of Olmo is the clearest way to send a message to the locker room.
