Barcelona’s Dani Olmo reveals the Catalan club has strengthened better than Real Madrid
Barça midfielder highlights club’s summer signings and jabs at rivals ahead of La Liga opener
Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo has sparked early-season rivalry by claiming the Catalan club has outperformed Real Madrid in the transfer market. Speaking to Spanish outlet COPE while on Barça’s Asian tour, the 26-year-old said he believes his team has strengthened more effectively than their historic rivals.
“Madrid will also want the best players, so in that sense it’s very good,” Olmo stated during the Partidazo COPE interview. “We’ve also strengthened our position and even better, I’d say.”
Olmo, who joined Barcelona in August 2024 amid interest from several European clubs, is one of the key faces of the club’s current rebuild under coach Hansi Flick.
Barcelona’s Reinforcements for 2025/26
Despite ongoing financial constraints, Barça have secured three major signings so far this summer:
- Joan García from Espanyol for €25 million to provide depth in goal following Marc-André ter Stegen’s surgery.
- Marcus Rashford, who joins on loan from Manchester United with a €30 million purchase option.
- Roony Bardghji, the promising Swedish forward from FC Copenhagen.
The additions aim to strengthen both ends of the pitch as the club pushes for domestic and European success following a disappointing 2024/25 campaign.
Real Madrid’s Summer Moves
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have also been active in the transfer market, completing four notable signings:
- Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth for €62.5 million
- Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool for €10 million
- Álvaro Carreras from Benfica for €50 million
- Franco Mastantuono from River Plate after activating his €45 million release clause
Despite these acquisitions, Olmo suggests Barcelona’s transfers are more aligned with the club’s tactical needs heading into the new season.
La Liga Kickoff Approaches
Barcelona will open their La Liga campaign on August 16th, facing Mallorca away at 2:30 p.m. (Brasília time). Real Madrid are set to begin their season on August 19th, hosting Osasuna at 4:00 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Santiago Bernabéu.
With bold claims from Olmo and both teams significantly reinforced, the 2025/26 season promises an intense battle for supremacy in Spain.
