Barcelona have decided to raise their bid from 1.8 million to 2 million euros, hoping to soften Al Ahly’s stance after the Cairo club insisted on receiving at least 5 million euros for the teenager’s future transfer.
The Spanish side see the valuation as high for a player still in the development stage, but remain keen not to lose a talent they have been monitoring closely.
The plan is to secure Abdelkarim on an initial loan with a purchase option, with the youngster turning 18 on 1 January, which would allow him to join and immediately bolster Barcelona Atlètic’s attack after a string of injuries in the reserve side.
Inside the club, the atmosphere around the deal is calm, with confidence that the player’s strong desire to wear the Barcelona shirt can help move negotiations forward despite Al Ahly’s tough position.
Abdelkarim’s standout displays at the Under-17 World Cup, where he scored twice and provided an assist for Egypt in four games, have significantly boosted his market value and strengthened Al Ahly’s hand at the table.
