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Radical change in Dani Olmo's future at Barça: there's no turning back, he's leaving for...

The forward from Terrassa is getting closer to staying, and his agent is proposing a new deal to FC Barcelona

Barcelona has completed a new move in the transfer market, and they believe he is a very interesting player. This is Cardoso Varela, a young Portuguese talent who has caught the attention of the blaugrana sporting management. Trained at Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb, the same club where Dani Olmo stood out, his style and career have caused numerous comparisons with the Spanish international.

The deal, according to various sources close to the Catalan club, has been closed at an initial figure of 5 million euros. However, the total amount could reach 25 million euros if certain performance-based objectives are met. Barça is thus securing one of the most promising gems in Portuguese soccer.

A player in a blue and red uniform runs on the field during a match.
Dani Olmo played for Dinamo Zagreb | @FCBarcelona

Portuguese Cardoso Varela, who can play both as an attacking midfielder and out wide, stands out for his tactical intelligence, ability to thread passes, and electric dribbling in tight spaces.  He is 19 years old, but he already has international experience in Portugal's youth categories, where he has been a key piece in several youth tournaments.

Andy Bara brings him to Barça

His development at Dinamo has not gone unnoticed in the European scene. According to reports, clubs such as Ajax and RB Leipzig have also explored his situation in recent months. However, Barcelona's project focused on young talents has been decisive for his final choice, and the relationship between the Culers and his agent Andy Bara is key.

The blaugrana club believes he is an ideal profile to strengthen the midfield and attacking positions, similar to the path Dani Olmo once followed. In fact, his arrival is reminiscent in many ways of the Terrassa player's, who also broke out in Croatia before making the leap to a top league. He is expected to start preseason under Hansi Flick's orders, who will have the opportunity to evaluate him in the first training sessions.

First to the reserve team

Although it is not ruled out that he could start with the reserve team, the initial idea is for him to work with the first team's dynamics from day one.  The bet on Cardoso Varela is part of the club's new recruitment policy, focused on young players with room for growth and immediate projection. In a delicate economic context, signings like this allow the squad to be strengthened without taking on major financial risks.

His adaptation will be key, but the references coming from Croatia are very positive. Coaches and former players who have followed him closely highlight his professionalism, competitive maturity, and enormous technical potential.  Everything suggests that he could be an important piece in the medium-term future of the Culer team.

With this move, Barcelona continues building its squad for the future. Cardoso Varela arrives to bring talent, flair, and vision, in a deal that could be very profitable if he lives up to the expectations caused in his country and in Zagreb.