MADRID, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona faces the prospect of Spain international attacker Dani Olmo leaving on a free transfer, after a judge in Barcelona on Friday ruled that Olmo can't be included in the first team squad as of January 1.

Barcelona's current financial problems meant that due to financial fair-play (FFP) issues, Olmo, who cost around 60 million Euros from RB Leipzig in the summer, could only be registered with its first team squad until December 31st after defender Andreas Christensen suffered a long-term tendon injury.

The club was allowed by La Liga rules to use Christensen's registration to cover Olmo's and thus remain under FFP limits.

However, Christensen is now fit and will be available for selection at the new year, meaning that Olmo will no longer be able to use the defender's place in the squad when the transfer window reopens at the start of the New Year.

Barcelona went to Commercial Court Number 10 in the city to try and have this decision overturned and keep Olmo in the squad, but the judge has rejected the club's appeal.

This effectively means Olmo can't play until Barca find a way to register him, which would mean selling a key player, or for another player to suffer a season-ending injury. However, Barca's situation is further complicated in a clause in Olmo's contract which says that if the club is unable to register him, he can leave on a free transfer.

Olmo doesn't want to leave, but if he stays at Barca and the club is unable to register him, the player, who has scored six goals in 15 appearances so far, faces spending the rest of the season in the stands and plenty of clubs would be willing to offer the Spain international wages that could tempt him away.

Barca has lodged a second appeal, but there is no guarantee this will be accepted. Enditem

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